Both doctors and parents are reluctant about raising the issue of childhood obesity, according to a new study.

Despite most GPs recognising it as a potential health burden, 40 per cent of a small group surveyed said they struggled to raise the issue with parents and 70 per cent said they raised the topic once the child had left the room, the study published in the journal Obesity Research & Clinical Practice found.

Some GPs indicated they had diffculty raising the topic for various reasons including the sensitivity of the topic, the possibility of confict or that the chat could trigger other health issues, such as an eating disorder or depression.

Dr Kay Jones, from Monash University's Department of General Practice, said healthcare professionals might need guidance in tackling the ever-growing public health issue, especially when parents could not see there was one.

"Childhood obesity has a high risk of becoming a chronic disease requiring life-long weight management," Dr Jones said.

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