Plea for overweight children

Prof Paul Gately, of the National Obesity Forum and director of Britain's first residential weight loss camp in Leeds, said how others reacted to overweight children and young people was a serious matter.

So far more than 5,000 youngsters have been through the Carnegie International Camp which starts again next week for eight weeks. Extra places have been made available to help more youngsters lose weight.

Evidence suggests two in three overweight children are bullied about their weight, leaving them with much lower self esteem.

"Worryingly, 85 per cent of obese teenagers will become obese adults," said Prof Gately, of Leeds Metropolitan University.

Andrew Hill, professor of medical psychology at Leeds University, said: "The psychological benefits associated with the Carnegie International Camp are extremely positive."

Anyone interested in signing up for this year's camp can go to www.carnegieweightmanagement.com or call 0113 812 5233.