Research has highlighted "alarming gaps" in the diagnosis and treatment of obesity among Scots children.

Evidence suggests there is a lack of confidence and poor skills among staff dealing with overweight children and their families.

The study, carried out by Glasgow University, questioned doctors, nurses, social workers and teachers in two health board areas. It found just over 65% would be able to identify an obese child.

Knowledge of obesity guidelines more than tripled from 27.5% to 82% after a specialised training course. The ability to diagnose obesity increased from 67.5% to 94.8%.

Figures suggest just over a quarter of Scots are clinically obese and more than two-thirds are overweight.

The study, carried out in NHS Tayside and Shetland by child health expert Shaza Aboouf, will be discussed at a paediatric conference in Glasgow. She said: "It is hoped the training package could be adopted by other health boards."

Another study found just 12% of parents with overweight children and less than 1% of parents with very overweight children knew how much they weighed. This compared to 99% of parents of children within a healthy weight range.

Most parents with overweight and very overweight children (73%) were aware of the health risks associated with childhood obesity.

But only 22% identified their own child's weight as a health risk

The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health conference, which runs at the SECC until Thursday, comes as a project led by Yorkhill consultant Professor Charlotte Wright unveiled more accurate growth charts for children aged 2-18 years.

caroline.wilson@ eveningtimes.co.uk