A health education charity has launched a campaign to help tackle youngsters' weight problems and give them more control over their health.

Developing Patient Partnerships has designed a website, called Get Sussed, at www.sussed.uk.net, which gives dietary advice and ideas for exercise.

The number of youngsters with weight problems has doubled in the last 20 years.

Doctors have diagnosed children as young as 13 with a form of diabetes, Type II, normally seen in fat, middle-aged people.

The food industry has recently come under growing pressure over advertising for high-fat and sugar-laden junk foods, after research by the Food Standards Agency showed children were "brainwashed" into wanting to eat them.

But Tessa Jowell, The Secretary Of State For Culture, has rejected an advertising ban on junk food.

Ministers are expected to reveal an action plan in April to try to reverse the rising trend of obesity. Government officials are understood to be in talks with TV companies on bringing healthy pursuits to popular soaps and children's programmes.