Obesity levels in the South treble in 30 years

Childhood obesity: Sangeeta talked to Dr Hilary Jones, who has been a GP in Hampshire for many years, and appears regularly on TV.

We've all heard of the expression "You are what you eat" but now according to scientists at Southampton University "You are what your mother eats". New research shows our weight can be predetermined before we are born or even conceived. With figures for childhood obesity on the rise, experts say educating the next generation of parents is the solution. Simon Parkin reports.

Meanwhile Researchers at the University of Southampton are looking for volunteers to help with their research into the impact of nutrients, before and during pregnancy, on the health of mothers and their babies

Experts say increasing evidence shows the mother’s nutritional state as she enters pregnancy is important for the baby’s development. For example, if the mother has high blood sugar levels it can predispose the baby to having increased body fat in later life.

The Southampton study is evaluating the benefits of maintaining healthy blood sugar, vitamin and mineral levels in the mother, and the potential to promote a healthy pregnancy and healthy growth and development of the child.

The research team are looking for women aged 18-38 years who are planning on becoming pregnant to take part. Women recruited from the Southampton area will be asked to attend a number of appointments at Southampton General Hospital, where a research nurse will complete a questionnaire and body measurements, blood, hair and cheek swab samples will be taken. Participants will be randomly selected to receive a standard nutritional drink containing vitamins and minerals recommended before and during pregnancy or the study nutritional drink, enriched with additional vitamins, minerals and probiotics. Taking part will also allow the women to have extra ultrasound scans during pregnancy at 7, 28 and 34 weeks, along with having their NHS ultrasound scans at 12 and 19 weeks in a dedicated suite. For further information visit www.nipperstudy.com

First it was fat, then salt - but as the problem of childhood obesity soars - the focus is turning to the problem of sugar in the diets of young people - and the health problems they could storing up for the future.

All this week ITV is 'focussing on obesity' - looking at the problems facing families - and what's being done to help. This month the government highlighted the problem by announcing plans for a tax on sugar : an extra 6p or 8p on a can of fizzy drink - up to 24 pence extra for a litre of 'pop'.

Sarah Saunders investigates why one doctor in Kent says the sugar intake for children, is almost as serious as smoking.

First it was fat, then salt. But as the problem of childhood obesity soars, the focus is turning to the problem of sugar in the diets of young people - and the health problems they could storing up for the future.

All this week ITV is 'focusing on obesity' - looking at the problems facing generations of families, and what's being done to help. This month, of course, the government highlighted the problem by announcing plans for a tax on sugar.

Sarah Saunders finds out why one doctor in Kent says soaring sugar intake for children is as serious as smoking.

ITV News Meridian's presenter Sangeeta Bhabra spoke to our Social Affairs correspondent Christine Alsford in our studio about the effects of under eighteens being overweight.

It's a worrying development - with one child as young as 10 - diagnosed as being overweight.

It's a ticking time bomb. Obesity levels in the UK have more than trebled in the last 30 years and, on current estimates, more than half the population could be obese within the next 30 years.

As part of our strand on obesity, today we're speaking to a teenage boy who weighed 28 stone. Our social affairs correspondent Christine Alsford reports on the struggles he faced.

This week, ITV News is looking at obesity levels across the nation, as figures reveal that the UK is the second most obese country in Europe.

Do you want to find out if you are a healthy weight? Use this NHS choices calculator.

This is a tool provided by NHS choices, and ITV is not responsible for either the tool or the results.

Key facts about the UK's growing obesity crisis