Poor diet and lack of exercise are blamed for childhood obesity

Lack of exercise, coupled with poor diet, have been identified as the main causes of the problem.

Belfast City Council is launching an initiative to tackle the problem by increasing the range of activities for young people in its leisure centres.

Martial arts, basketball and hip-hop dancing will be made available.

Statistics prove that there is a much greater probability of individuals continuing to exercise throughout their life if they start at an early age Cllr Marie Cush

The council hopes to get more children involved in physical activity at a young age, especially as the emphasis in many of the new activities is on fun rather than competitiveness.

Councillor Marie Cush, chairman of the community and leisure services sub-committee, said: "Unfortunately the situation is getting worse. Lack of exercise coupled with poor diet has led to more and more overweight children.

"At Belfast City Council we feel that we have a responsibility to combat this disturbing trend by encouraging children to get involved in physical activity.

"It is also two of our key priorities to improve services for young people and help make the city a healthier place."

Ms Cush said the council had increased both the range of activities and the number of classes in leisure centres in order to appeal to a much broader range of children.

"Statistics prove that there is a much greater probability of individuals continuing to exercise throughout their life if they start at an early age," she said.