Gwen Stefani's fat fear

Jul 2, 2008, 4:00 GMT

Gwen Stefani - Las Vegas, NV, USA © Lee Roth / RothStock / PR Photos

Gwen Stefani says being an overweight child has made her weight conscious.

The No Doubt singer says she struggled with her weight when she was growing up and insists she has to work hard to maintain her figure.

Gwen - who is currently pregnant with her second child - said: "At school, I remember thinking that I wished I could like a girl that was so skinny and got to eat whatever she wanted. I always had to exercise. My weight fluctuated and I got chubby again in 11th grade - at like 16 - and then I was like, 'You know what? I've had enough of this up and down thing!'

"So I got on the swim team and I was more determined not to be that chubby girl any more. Ever since then I've been able to control it, but it sucks. Nowadays I just try to realise how stupid it is, because nobody cares - except me!"

Gwen - who is now married to Gavin Rossdale - also revealed being overweight has made her insecure.

She added to Britain's OK! magazine: "I was never really a shy person, but during those teenage years you always have your insecurities, and I can remember feeling not to happy with the way I looked, wanting not to be fat."