Millions of Britain's women buy under-size clothes as an incentive to help them lose weight, a survey has found.

More than a third of women deliberately buy clothes which are too small for them because they are determined to slim down enough to fit into them one day, it found.

The research found that on average these women confessed to buying three under-size items of clothing each.

This means about 24 million dresses, skirts, blouses and trousers hanging idly in the country's wardrobes --- as their owners battle to fit into them.

The research uncovered Scots as the biggest purchases women make, with one in six claiming to own ten or more items they have bought knowing they are too small.

Christine Evans, Lloyds pharmacy's weight management specialist, which conducted the research, said: "If slipping into a little black dress or a smaller jean size is something someone finds motivating, then buying an under-size garment could be a very sensible investment.

"Many people, women especially, have a daily reminder of their size in the form of an item of clothing they want to fit into one day.

"Deliberately buying these clothes could be an effective strategy."

She added: "Taking control of weight loss is all about setting realistic goals and then taking action to achieve them".

一项最新调查发现，数百万英国女性购买尺寸过小的衣服，以此作为减肥的动力。

调查发现，超过三分之一的女性故意购买穿不下的瘦小衣服，因为她们下定决心减肥到能穿下去为止。

调查发现，这些女性平均每人承认购买过三套尺寸过小的衣服。

这意味着在英国，有2400万件套装、裙子、上衣和裤子闲置在衣橱里，而此时它们的主人正开展减肥大战，以便有一天可以将它们派上用场。

调查表明，苏格兰女性最爱购买尺寸过小的衣服，有1/6的女性称购买过10件或以上明知尺寸过小的衣服。

开展此项调查的劳埃德医药公司体重控制专家克里斯廷•埃文斯说："如果对有些人而言，能够穿下小号黑色礼服或者小号牛仔裤可以激励自己减肥的话，那么买一套小号衣服就是一种相当合理的投资。"

"对很多人，尤其是女性而言，一件想在以后穿下去的衣服可以每天激励自己减肥。"

"故意买小号衣服是减肥的有效方法。"

她补充道："控制体重就要制定现实可行的目标，并付诸行动。"
关键字:市民英语
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