Overweight children a €4bn a year problem

THE nation’s obsession with over-eating has led to more than two in five children being either obese or overweight as part of a growing problem costing €4 billion per year.

Obesity is being blamed for at least 2,000 deaths each year in Ireland. Just three out of 10 children are getting the recommended amount of physical activity — even though seven out of 10 parents believe their kids are doing enough.

Meanwhile, one in five families eat the majority of their meals in front of the television, while about half of parents prepare separate meals for their children.