Doctors have warned parents to pay close attention to their children’s diets now that schools have started again and youngsters tend to increase their intake of snacks high in fat, salt and sugar content.

A recent survey of almost 1,200 schoolchildren aged between 4 and 7 in Hania revealed that around 28 percent of the youngsters were overweight.

“Exercise and physical activity should come first and homework should follow,” Antonis Kafatos, a professor of nutrition at the medical school of the University of Crete, told Kathimerini yesterday. “Exercise and playing outdoors for at least two hours a day is very important for the good health of a child,” he added.

The tests in Hania revealed that almost 8 percent of the schoolchildren had high blood pressure. Two in 10 of the youngsters were found to be suffering from high blood sugar, obesity or high cholesterol. Much of this is brought about by unhealthy snacks. Kafatis recommended that children eat a full, healthy breakfast at home instead.