This is despite the fact that the majority of parents questioned feel they themselves are responsible for ensuring that their children eat healthily.

The report, carried out for Iceland by research company Mintel, suggests that because many parents themselves admit to having a poor diet, they are unlikely to pass healthy eating messages on to their children.

A large proportion of people do not seem to know why they should be eating certain foods while limiting others, or the connection between current diet and long-term health, the research suggests.

Findings of the survey include:

• more than half (52%) of parents would like their children to eat more vegetables
• 44% would like their children to eat more fruit
• nearly half (46%) think their children should eat less sugary foods
• over a third (37%) are having problems limiting their children's consumption of crisps and snacks
• a fifth think their children eat too much fatty and salty foods

Iceland has launched an initiative with the British Dietetic Association to help UK primary schools educate children and their parents about healthy eating.

Schools play a key role