More than one in three British children is now classified as overweight or obese - and the figure is rising.
British children are spending double the amount of money on sugary snacks and treats than their counterparts in the USA, research shows.
In an average year, British children spend about £372 on sweets and chocolates - equivalent to about 850 Mars bars. In contrast to this, American kids spend just £150, according to research carried out by the independent research company, Datamonitor.
More than one in three British children aged five to 13 are already overweight or obese, and the figure is predicted to shoot up by a staggering 2.1% every year.
Over 2.3 million children in Britain are estimated to be overweight or obese, and many already show signs of high-blood pressure, diabetes and liver disease.
Jackie Schneider of the Children's Food Campaign said banning junk food television adverts before the 9pm watershed, using traffic light labelling on food packaging, increasing eligibility of free school meals, and providing fresh drinking water in parks, would help the pandemic.
Whilst the UK government spent nearly £2 billion over 10 years attempting to tackle obesity levels without much success, America's first lady Michelle Obama is having more luck across the pond as her 'Let's Move' obesity campagin goes from strength to strength.
Who's to blame for the rising levels of obesity in the UK and how do we stop it soaring further? Post your thoughts, however opinionated, in the box below.
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