New research suggests that childhood obesity levels have stopped rising in many countries.

Benjamin Rokholm, of the University of Copenhagen’s Institute of Preventative Medicine, co-authored the study. He says childhood obesity levels have either stabilised or declined in 15 countries over the past decade. But he insists that this is not cause for celebration.

"The most important message is that the obesity epidemic is not reversing," he says. "We've never had so many obese people in the world, so the plateauing should not be a soothing message."

Rokholm found that obesity levels were actually decreasing in some countries. This included Japan, Denmark and England. The proportion of obese and overweight girls has declined slightly in England, from around 20% to 19%. Nonetheless, obesity is on the rise among certain groups in Britain and these other countries. Some experts believe that Britain will see a decline in childhood obesity among richer social groups, contrasting with a rise among the poor. In France rates have fallen among both rich and poor children.

Should kids grow their own food?

One quarter of children in Britain is either obese or overweight. The government has considered many measures to tackle this epidemic, one of which is junk food free zones around schools. Some schools in London have already introduced the scheme. London Mayor, Boris Johnson, has supported this scheme. He has also suggested that kids should grow their own food. Speaking earlier this year, he commented: “I want to take on the fast food companies who mercilessly lure children into excessive calorie consumption. Instead of junk snacks, let’s encourage kids to grow their own food.”

The mayor added that a “superb legacy” for the 2012 London Olympics would be the elimination of obesity, including childhood obesity.