People have long speculated over whether what children see in video games or watch on television influences their malleable young minds. And new research shows that children may actually eat more low-nutrition, high-calorie food after observing overweight cartoon characters.

Just under a quarter of children in London are obese, and with over 8,000 fried chicken shops spread across the capital, junk food is a major contributing factor. Tottenham-based Chicken Town offers up a healthy alternative to the greasy meal, but will school kids be able to stomach it?

In a move to tackle obesity, US schools will have to replace junk food with 'smart snacks' like granola bars and fruit cups in 2014-2015. But can deeply ingrained habits really be changed when a new study shows kids are less likely to choose foods they know are good for them?

Australia is the home of the tanned, the active and the healthy. But is this stereotype true? Unsurprisingly, no. With long working hours and a steadfast commitment to a busy social life, Aussies are packing on the pounds. In the second of a two-part series, we look at what’s making Australia fat.