When it comes to their children, all parents want is for them to be as happy and healthy as possible.

 

However, according to a new report, just one-in-100 parents of obese children are able to recognise that their child is unhealthy.

 

The report conducted by London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine questioned 3,000 parents about their child’s weight.

 

The study, which has been published in the British Journal of General Practice, found that 31% of parents underestimated their child’s weight status and 1% overestimated it.

 

It also found that parents of very overweight kids were not likely to spot the problem, with just one-in-100 parents of such children being able to tell if their child is obese. 

 

According to the researchers, the reason parents don’t spot when their child is overweight is because the normal size has increased so much.

 

Senior author Dr Sanjay Kinra, said: "If parents are unable to accurately classify their own child's weight, they may not be willing or motivated to enact the changes to the child's environment that promote healthy weight maintenance."

 

With childhood and adult obesity on the rise, exercising and eating healthy are more  important than ever.

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