Children are struggling with their weight and their worries amid an increasingly tough world for their parents.

A study of Kirklees’ children has revealed around 20,000 are living in poverty and almost 20% of 10 and 11-year-olds are obese.

Large numbers of teenagers are affected by bullying and more than a fifth are left caring for their own brothers and sisters in some areas .

Meanwhile nearly a quarter of boys are classed as having some kind of special educational need and the amount going into care has doubled.

The impacts on the health and wellbeing of children has been highlighted by a comprehensive report by health and social officials at Kirklees Council.

And the Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA) report firmly points the finger of blame at parents, saying youngsters’ lifestyle choices are shaped by parental and peer health behaviours.

Health chiefs also believe a large part of the problem is pregnant mothers ignoring advice about diet, alcohol and smoking.

The report says: “Parental choices and behaviours contribute to outcomes for their children.

“Maternal behaviours such as diet, physical inactivity, alcohol consumption and particularly smoking during pregnancy, profoundly affect the health of the unborn child.”

The report highlights a number of areas that are affecting the region’s 98,000 children.

It shows a child’s likelihood of living in poverty varies massively across the authority.

A child is defined as being in poverty if the household income, including benefits received, is less than 60% of the average Kirklees household income of £27,263 – roughly £16,357.

In Dewsbury West and Newsome wards, one in three are dubbed as being in poverty.

But in Kirkburton only one in 14 are classed as poverty stricken.

Youngsters mental wellbeing has also been highlighted with more than a quarter of 14-year-olds stating they were ‘never’ or ‘sometimes’ unhappy with themselves.

One in three felt angry frequently and a shocking 17% had trouble sleeping due to anxiety.

Girls are twice as likely to be unhappy with the way they look than boys with almost half not liking their image.

The amount of children being bullied has decreased over the past four years, but teenagers that are being targeted told the council it was happening more often.

In the Colne and Holme Valleys and Mirfield, almost half of 14-year-olds claimed to have problems with bullies.

The council also says there is evidence of increased levels of homophobia.

Officials estimate 6,000 children in Kirklees witness domestic violence each year with 85 being subjected to domestic abuse each week.

The council is now looking after 640 children compared with 334 in 2006.

The report concludes: “The key things emerging from this JSNA with the biggest impact on improving health and wellbeing for children include; good parenting, parent-child attachment, a stable home environment and better informed choices around health behaviour.”