LONDON, April 1, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

Lowered self-esteem among today's girls and young women could, by 2050, be costing the nation:

According to new research commissioned by Dove, this could become reality, as a lack of self-esteem among 11-17 year old girls prevents them from realising their full potential, with huge consequences for their personal and professional future. As Dove launches the 2012 campaign for Dove Self-Esteem Programme (DSEP), the extent of the issue has become clear.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20120331/523273 )

The study reveals the shocking impact of low self-esteem, with the business world looking set to suffer. If the status quo remains, the UK could be deprived of 200,000 female business professionals and 42,000 successful female entrepreneurs by 2050.

Britain's sporting success will be hit badly too. Self and body-esteem issues could mean an estimated two to three potential female medalists drop out of sport and as a result, never step onto the winner's podium in future games.

Low self-esteem affects how young girls feel about their future careers with only one in three feeling confident they will have a successful career in the future. This has a huge impact on the medical and legal professions with the potential number of female doctors and lawyers reducing by 17%. That's a shortfall of 20,000 female lawyers and around 35,000 doctors by 2050.

The shocking discontentment felt amongst young girls about their appearance is at the heart of the issue. Nearly half (45%) describe themselves as 'average' and 'ordinary' with a further 10% feeling 'plain', 'unattractive' and 'ugly'.

As a brand that is dedicated to building positive self-esteem, Dove has developed the 2012 Campaign for Dove Self-Esteem Programme (DSEP) to make a real change to the way young girls perceive and embrace beauty.

Through the DSEP, Dove will be reaching out to young people in the UK through self-esteem workshops, which will be held in schools all over the country. Any Dove product bought between 26th March - 15th May 2012 will help to give a girl a self-esteem education. This will be delivered through a Dove donation of a minimum of 250,000 to BEAT (the UK's leading charity for those affected by eating disorders) to deliver workshops in schools.

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Self-Esteem Issues Impact Women's Future Success