Healthy eating books targeted specifically at children as young as four have been launched amid fears of a future heart disease epidemic.

The British Heart Foundation (BHF) believes that children between four and six can be taught the value of a good diet and exercise.

Its "Big Heart Book" covers topics such as different food groups, and "parts of the body".

The on-going challenge is to target people with healthy lifestyle messages early

Professor Sir Charles George, British Heart Foundation

One in ten deaths from heart disease are linked to obesity, and being overweight can also lead to high blood pressure, raised cholesterol levels and diabetes.

Various studies have suggested that levels of childhood obesity are soaring, due to a combination of worse diets, and a couch potato lifestyle.

Estimates suggest it has risen two-fold in the past decade, and researchers also say that overweight children do tend to remain overweight in later life - the point at which it can cause health problems.

Young cholesterol

A study published last week in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that even five year old girls could have high cholesterol levels.

Never too young to learn healthy eating

Their research found that these children were far more likely to go on to be overweight at age 12.

The British Heart Foundation is offering the books free to schools.

They hope that children who get into good habits early could perhaps be healthier adults.

Professor Sir Charles George, the medical director of the BHF, said: "Although deaths from heart disease are falling, if current trends in obesity and physical activity continue, more people than ever before could be living with the disease.

"The on-going challenge is to target people with healthy lifestyle messages early, to reduce the number of people living with the debilitating effects of heart disease in later life."

Teachers can get hold of a copy of the book by calling (0207) 4879412.