Health workers and social groups across Hampshire are striving to tackle an obesity time bomb with educational campaigns and sports events among the chief weapons being deployed.

Compared with the rest of the country, the latest figures show Hampshire has fewer overweight children but there's certainly no room for complacency.

One of those leading the fight to improve young people's health in Hampshire is Jennifer Davies - chief community dietician for the Southampton City Primary Care Trust.

She said: "Obesity is the biggest public health problem that we are currently facing, and childhood obesity is potentially the biggest problem. That's why the government has launched the Public Service Agreement on halting obesity levels."

This agreement commits the government to slashing the number of obese children under the age of 11 by 2010.

To do this they are helping fund dieticians and healthy lifestyle teachers for schools, giving children and those caring for them the choice to choose healthier food and get involved in activities.

Mrs Davies added: "The aims of this project are particularly important because the rates of increase in childhood obesity are rising quicker than in the adult population.

"If a child becomes overweight, then they are more likely to be overweight as an adult and that can lead to a whole host of health problems.

"The costs of obesity are huge, both in terms of treating it and in terms of what the individuals go through."

She added that as well as the obvious health problems of obesity in childhood - such as increased risks of related problems such as diabetes, some types of cancer and heart disease - there are other problems as well such as low self-esteem and psychological damage.

Overweight youngsters are also more likely to suffer from bullying, which can then lead to more overeating. Mrs Davies said: "What we really need is for everyone to appreciate that they have a role to play."