“I always knew that she was bigger than most children, but she has always been tall for her age anyway. However, when the school recently held an open morning for the new pupils, it really highlighted the difference for me between my daughter and the other children. I’m now dreading going to buy the school uniform as I know that I will have to get a size for a much older child.

"I have struggled with weight myself, so I know what it feels like to be bigger and I don’t want that for my daughter. At the same time, however, I never wanted to make an issue of her weight or give her a complex by denying her the treats that other children had. There is so much talk about eating disorders that you don’t know what to say or do, but I realise childhood obesity is just as big a problem.

“I feel very guilty as a mother that I have allowed the situation to get to this stage. I think I’ve had a bit of a wake-up call that something needs to change, but don’t know where to start. What should I do?

“Concerned Mother”

Miriam will share her advice in the next edition of Irish Country Living, but what would you do?