"A lot of these behaviors that adolescent girls are turning to are not effective in controlling obesity," said Eric Stice, research professor of psychology at the University of Texas at Austin.

One expert not involved in the study said the results were not surprising.

"We know that rigid dieting actually leads to one overeating or a change in bolism," said Lisa Dorfman, a dietitian and psychotherapist who is a spokeswoman for the American Dietetic Association. "Your body slows down because it doesn't know when the next normal meal will come. Having a piece of cake is healthier than dieting for a week and having a (whole) cake."

The study, which looked at 496 Austin-area girls ages 11 to 15, was published in the April issue of the American Psychological Association's Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology.

More information about the obesity: http://www.tcmadvisory.com/2007/1-22/2007122111330.html