The issue of whether parents whose children are obese should be charged with neglect has fueled much debate.

A new study from the British Journal of Sports Medicine is now claiming that a lack of national policy to ensure children exercise is a form of “mass child neglect”.

The report says regular exercise in childhood can help boost academic performance, curb anti-social behaviour and determine patterns of physical health and wealth in adulthood.

In October, Irish medics warned that children needed to eat less and move more in an effort to beat the childhood obesity epidemic sweeping across the country.

It is now believed that 1 in 4 children in Ireland are obese and if left untreated could cost an estimated €5,000 a year per child to the State.