Parents fear talking about weight could trigger eating disorders

The study, which surveyed more than 1,000 parents, also found that 37 per cent feel that talking to their child about their weight might lower their self-esteem.

In total, 32 per cent of parents responding to the survey said they found it difficult to help their child stay healthy.

However, this proportion rose to 72 per cent of parents with an overweight or obese child. Most attributed this to their child’s preference for foods high in fat and sugar.

Two-thirds of all parents said they’d like more support in talking to their child about weight – this increased to 85 per cent of parents with an overweight or obese child.

Almost half of parents of an obese child who attempted to discuss weight with them said it was “an unhelpful experience for the family”.

According to Mend, approximately £1bn was spent each year on the prevention of child obesity between 2005 and 2010, while in the same period, approximately £10m was spent on treating child obesity.

Mend argues that government is pumping cash into “preventing healthy weight children with less risk” from becoming obese adults, but under spending on children who are already overweight and at “far greater risk of becoming obese adults”.

Dr Paul Chadwick, co-founder and clinical director at Mend, said the majority of parents of overweight children are taking the “courageous step” of talking with their child about weight issues despite concerns that by doing so they may also be doing harm.

“This is an awful situation for parents to find themselves in and many parents are probably quite distressed about this,” he said.

“With obesity affecting a third of the UK’s children, we can no longer afford for weight to be a taboo subject. It’s crucial that we talk about obesity in a helpful way with a focus on the positive aspects of being healthy rather than ‘looking good’.”

Netmums founder Siobhan Freegard added: "Tackling the issue of children's weight is a growing problem and it's concerning that a third of parents are avoiding the issue for fear of lowering their child's self-esteem.

“Every parent wants the best for their child and although initially it may be a tough conversation to have, the family talking together and working together to find healthier ways of eating will lead to happier and healthier children."