Letter. The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health state that childhood obesity is the gravest health issue children are facing today, predicting that half of the 10-year-olds will be affected by 20201 and emphasising that all health professionals have a collective responsibility in tackling this. Acute paediatricians have a duty to identify and manage childhood obesity, as with other comorbid conditions. Many paediatricians are, however, reluctant to broach this subject with parents in the acute setting due to concerns regarding receptiveness; yet parents have previously stated that they would want to be told if their child was found to be overweight while in the hospital.2 As studies show a poor correlation between parents’ perceived child weight status and actual weight status, we cannot rely on parents to recognise obesity themselves.3 To read the full article, log in using your NHS OpenAthens details.