Childhood obesity levels are rising and recent reports show that more than a quarter of children in English secondary schools are clinically obese.

Girls are more likely than boys to be obese and teenagers that are classed as obese are twice as likely to die by the time they are 50.

The rate is nearly double that of just over 10 years ago and researchers found that amongst 11-15 year olds 26.7 per cent of girls and 24.2 per cent of boys qualified as obese, among children aged two to 10 12.8 per cent of girls and 15.9 per cent of boys were considered obese.

The research was based on the weight and height measurements of 2,000 children, surveyed as part of the 2004 National Health Survey.

Obesity generally occurs through too little exercise and the wrong sort of diet. If you're worried about your child's weight, take them to your local GP who can properly assess them and give professional advice. Obesity increases your child's chance of developing diabetes, heart disease and cancer.

There are simple ways that you can help your child. Encouraging them to be active and ensuring that they are eating well are key to fighting obesity. Set a good example and create healthy meals using fresh fruit and vegetables. If you don't have time to cook, try and make extra when you do and freeze meals and sauces for later in the week. Keep healthy snacks in the house so even if the kids are raiding the cupboards, they will not be gorging on crisps and chocolate. If you all eat healthily as a family it will encourage your children to see food as important fuel and they will not feel as if they are on a diet. See pages 9-11 for healthy lunch and dinner ideas.

Include physical activity as part of your normal day. Encourage the kids to walk to school if possible and to take the stairs instead of the lift. Take day trips to the park and take a football or frisbee, if your kids show an interest in sport encourage them to join a local club or team. Small changes can make a big difference to a growing child.

For more information about how obesity affects health, visit the International Obesity Taskforce website at www.iotf.org or visit your local GP.