The Island's Director of Health Promotion says tackling childhood obesity in the Isle of Man is a priority.
Lesley Dorwood was speaking after the problem hit the headlines due to a television programme featuring a 14 stone eight year old.
She says 65% of overweight five to ten year olds have one cardio disease risk factor and 25% have two.
Combined with the other health and psychological factors associated with obesity, she says action needs to be taken early:
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