More and more children in Fiji are becoming obese.

In a survey conducted by the National Food and Nutrition Centre in 2004, 14.5% of all children were found to be overweight when their age and weight were compared.

One of the main reasons for the high obesity rate is the overindulgence in fast foods and not eating fresh food.

This caught the eye of Interim Minister for Education Filipe Bole who said the report highlights a growing trend in many societies where there is little emphasis on health and nutrition.

A point the National Centre agrees with saying that if this is not taken seriously, students will eventually get diabetes or even heart attacks.

In their last survey done in 1999, it was noted that those mostly falling victims to this lifestyle change are those children living in urban areas due to the easy access to fast food outlets and they hope that these figures improve when they undertake their next survey in 2010.

However, Bole said once parents and guardians take time out to see that the eating habits of their children include more fresh and healthy foods, we will have a healthy nation.