THE NHS in Scotland is "fighting a losing battle" against childhood obesity after a new study revealed that three-quarters of health staff do not know how to diagnose or treat it.

The Glasgow University study has revealed "alarming gaps" in doctors', nurses', social workers' and teachers' knowledge of Scotland's national guidelines on childhood obesity.

Researchers found that 72.5% of staff who deal with overweight children and their families did not know the obesity guidelines and only 35% would be able to identify an obese child.

Margaret Watt, chairwoman of Scotland Patients Association, said: "If this many health staff can't even recognise obesity and don't know the national guidelines, we are fighting a losing battle."

The study suggests there is a lack of confidence and poor skills among staff tasked with tackling soaring rates of obesity in Scotland's children. Scotland has one of the highest levels of childhood obesity in the Western world, with 22% of six-year-olds overweight and 9% clinically obese.

The study was carried out by child health expert Shaza Aboof in NHS Tayside and NHS Shetland.

After a specialised training course was implemented, knowledge of obesity guidelines among staff more than tripled from 27.5% to 82%. Ms Aboof said: "It is hoped the training package could be adopted by other health boards."

A Scottish Government spokesman said: "We are working across all areas of Government to tackle overweight and obesity issues and support people to maintain a healthy weight."