Scotland is facing an epidemic of ill-health and premature death because of growing numbers of obese children.
New figures have revealed some youngsters are tipping the scales at more than 20 stone with Fife the worst area in Scotland.
The statistics have sparked concern of an obesity timebomb, which could lead to serious illness such as diabetes and heart disease.
Calls have now been made for more debate around Scotland’s poor relationship with food.
Across the country, 140 children weighed more than 16 stone in the last five years and at least 13 were above 20 stone.
Eleven of the heaviest children were in Fife, which was also home to 52 weighing 16 stone or more.
NHS Forth Valley reported eight children weighing more than 16 stone and none at more than 20 stone, while NHS Tayside had no youngsters of more than 16 stone.
NHS Fife confirmed it was working to combat childhood obesity but questioned whether the figures released through a Freedom of Information request to every health board in Scotland were comparing like with like.
Director of public health Dr Eddie Coyle said: “It is an issue but I don’t think Fife is any worse than most other areas in Scotland.”
He said he suspected Fife had included school pupils up to the age of 18, whereas other health boards had only included under-16s.
However, Fife Council’s opposition leader, Peter Grant, said: “Whether or not the figures in Fife are comparable to the rest of Scotland, the fact is there are far too many children in Fife who are seriously over the weight they should be in order to be healthy.
“If they get used to an unhealthy lifestyle before they even start primary school, as many of them are, they will find it very difficult to adapt in later life.”
Mid Scotland and Fife MSP Claire Baker said the statistics highlighted that obesity was not being adequately tackled.
“Whilst we are keen to tackle Scotland’s relationship with smoking and drinking, we fail to have the same debate around our relationship with food,” she said.
Fife Council is working closely with the health board on the issue, and Dr Coyle said: “We have a range of community and school-based initiatives around advising on healthy eating and activity.”