The number of overweight children in developed countries is increasing. Some people think this is due to problems such as the growing number of fast food outlets. Others believe that parents are to blame for not looking after their children's health. To what extent do you agree with these views?

There is plenty of evidence to suggest that children are overweight and the situation is getting worse, according to the medical experts. I feel there are a number of reasons for

this

. Some people blame the fact that we are surrounded by shops selling unhealthy, fatty foods

such

as chips and fried chicken, at low prices.

This

has created a whole generation of adults who have never cooked a meal for themselves. If there were

fewer

Suggestion

less

of these restaurants,

then

children would not be tempted to buy take-away

food

. There is another argument that blames the parents for allowing their children to become overweight. I tend to agree with

this

view, because good eating habits begin early in life, long before children start to visit fast

food

outlets. If children are given chips and chocolate rather than nourishing

food

, or are always allowed to choose what they eat, they will go for the sweet and salty foods every time, and

this

will carry on throughout their lives. There is a

third

factor,

however

, which contributes to the situation. Children these days take very little exercise. They do not walk to school. When they get home, they sit in front of the television or their computers and play video games. Not only is

this

an unhealthy pastime, it

also

gives them time to eat more junk

food

. What they need is to go outside and play active games or sport. The two views discussed play an equal role in contributing to the problem, but I think we have to encourage young people to be more active, as well as steering them away from fast

food

outlets and bad eating habits. We need to have a balanced approach.