Researchers are seeking hundreds of 'Rascals' to take part in a study into childhood obesity.

The Rowett Assessment of Childhood Appetite and Metabolism - known as Rascal - will aim to determine why some children remain thin while others gain weight.

The project is being carried out by the Rowett Research Institute in Aberdeen which wants to enlist the help of families in the north east of Scotland for the study.

It is known that childhood obesity carries on into adulthood and can cause serious health problems, such as diabetes.

Diet and exercise will be studied

There has been a dramatic increase in the number of overweight or obese children in the last 20 or 30 years.

However, it is not fully clear why some children stay thin while others pile on the pounds.

There is very little information on pre-school age children - although studies from the UNited States suggest eating habits developed in early years may last a lifetime.

Rowett's human nutrition unit in Aberdeen now wants to recruit 200 families from the north east with children aged between two and four years old.

The study will examine factors such as food intake and physical activity.

The researchers hope this will help reveal early indicators of a child's likelihood of becoming obese.