Nine ways to stop your child getting fat

About a third of children in the UK are overweight, increasing their risk of conditions like type 2 diabetes, heart disease and joint problems in adulthood. Here are some hints to prevent yours from piling on the pounds:

1. Be slim yourself. Easier said than done, I know. But the point here is that you’re your child’s main role model, so if you eat healthily and lead an active life, your offspring are more likely to do the same. If you eat junk, they’ll eat junk; if you slump on the couch eating chocolates, so will they. You get the picture. Plus, research has shown that babies born to overweight mothers are more likely to be overweight themselves.

2. Get them to eat the same food as you. Rather than preparing fish fingers and chips or pizza for your kids, and then rustling up a salad for yourself, sit down to family meals where you all eat the same.