Children as young as two are being treated for obesity at the weight-reduction clinic at the National Children's Hospital, Tallaght. Doctors working at the clinic have expressed grave concern at the number of referrals they receive each week and at the lowering of the age profile.
The long-term potential health implications for childhood obesity include type II diabetes, bowel cancer and heart disease, according to consultant paediatrician at the clinic, Dr Edna Roche.
"Obesity has taken off as the disease of our generation. It's the biggest public health threat in Ireland and the rest of the world. The area needs increased Government funding and to implement the recommendations of the taskforce on obesity," she said.
Dr Roche said the financial implications for the State would be massive in the coming years if this problem was not tackled head on.
The clinic is the only dedicated unit in the State set up to tackle obesity in children. More than 100 children aged two to 18 regularly attend. It also receives up to three new referrals each week.
"Children are coming to us as young as two. What we're seeing is a trend of younger, more significantly dangerous degrees of obesity," she said.
Childhood obesity levels in Ireland are the worst in Europe, according to Irish Nutrition and Dietetic Institute (INDI). One in five children in Ireland are overweight or obese, the 2005 National Children's Food survey found.
The European average for overweight or obese children is one in six, while one in four children in the US are affected.
"We're the worst in Europe and just slightly better than the Americans," said Margo Brennan of the INDI.
Ms Brennan believes the first step in tackling the childhood obesity crisis is for parents "to stop ignoring it".
There was increased likelihood of a child becoming overweight if both or one of their parents were obese, she said. This is partially due to a likelihood of an unsuitable diet in the home and inactive lifestyle patterns within the family.
"Parents are not acknowledging this problem in their children. They're just buying them bigger clothes sizes. They see other overweight children and think it's okay. But the heath implications are huge. In children as young as eight, we're seeing coronary artery disease from being overweight," she said.
Childhood obesity levels in Ireland have been steadily increasing over the past five years but have become markedly worse in the past two years, Ms Brennan and Dr Roche agree.
This rise is due in part to an increase in sedentary lifestyle patterns, easier access to fast food because of higher disposable incomes and long commuter times for parents.
"Overweight children are likely to become overweight adults. There are many children who aren't being treated at all for obesity and that's a worry," Ms Brennan said.
"Anyone can lose weight; it's much more difficult to keep it off," said Dr Roche.
"We have to change the way children think about food and help them apply those changes for the rest of their lives. Changing eating patterns starts primarily in the home," she said.