Parents to blame for child obesity trend

Parents must take blame for the UK's epidemic of childhood obesity, a survey claimed today.

It revealed that 90 per cent of women believe children become overweight because their families do not take enough responsibility for making sure they eat sensibly and take regular exercise.

Less than 40 per cent felt the Government or NHS were responsible, and only a third blamed the problem on hard-sell advertising by fast-food manufacturers.

The study follows a report compiled by a panel of medical experts last month.

Today's survey, for Zest magazine, showed that more than 70 per cent were concerned about the trend to allow children to spend leisure time playing computer games instead of more active pursuits.

But 92 per cent said it was down to parents to make sure their children were healthy. " This research is the strongest indication yet that people feel it is parents who have the power to do something, now," said Zest editor Alison Pylkkanen.