Manufacturers and retailers need to make the information on the printed labels of foodstuffs clearer if the fight against obesity is to be won.

This is the suggestion of Tam Fry from the National Obesity Forum and the Child Growth Foundation, who said many parents may be unsure about the nutritional content of the products they are feeding their youngsters.

"It is very, very difficult sometimes to read the label of what is in the food and that makes it extremely difficult for families to bring their children up eating a proper diet," he commented.

Mr Fry recommended a diet with lots of low glycemic foods including fruit, vegetables and pulses, rather than high glycemic examples such as chips.

If in doubt, the expert suggested checking the Food Standards Agency website, which displays the 'eatwell' plate explaining portion sizes and how to eat a rounded diet.

Half a million children in Britain are now suffering from liver disease because they are obese, it was reported earlier this month.

Denny Bros Ltd, 07 July 2011