Moderation is important for overweight children, particularly over the festive period when they are likely to be faced with more unhealthy food than usual, it as been claimed.

Rich Leigh, weight loss expert and founder of FatFreeFitness, said it is vital to find the balance between what is healthy for kids and what is not.

"Parents need to govern what their children are doing in terms of treats. Put down guidelines. Say you can have this, you can have that," he commented.

Mr Rich added that parents should also remind their sons and daughters that exercise does not hurt and is important in order to keep them healthy

Speaking earlier this week, dietician Charlene Shoneye said there is a great deal of evidence to suggest that the eating habits people develop when they are young stay with them throughout their lives.

Children who are overweight are likely to remain an unhealthy size during adulthood, she added.

Written by Fiona Mayers

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