Seven things parents worry about most when it comes to their children

After a three-year-old went missing from a North East store and a poll showing 29% of parents often worry about serious health issues facing their children, we look at some of the more common concerns over young ones:
Photo by Monkey Business Images/REX (3958001a)Photo by Monkey Business Images/REX (3958001a)
Photo by Monkey Business Images/REX (3958001a)

1) Cancer

The big C was the top concern in the research, conducted by OnePoll for a national newspaper, with almost four in ten parents worried that their child could develop the condition.

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A third of parents in the poll worry about the threat of meningitis B. However 44% do not realise that fever is a sign of the disease and one in ten do not know any of the symptoms.

3) Lack of exercise

According to the poll, three in ten children eat chocolate up to four times a week, one in ten eat chocolate SIX times a week, while one in five enjoy a fizzy drink every other day.

4) Obesity

Although only 9% of children eat no fruit or vegetables, only 12% eat their five portions a day every day, leading experts to predict that 38% of adults will be obese by 2025, making Britain the fattest nation in Europe.

5) Technology overuse

Nearly a quarter (23%) of parents of 14 to 16-year-olds are worried about how long their son or daughter spends on their smartphone or tablet, as it was revealed four in ten 14 to 16-year-olds spend up to four hours on their table, smartphone or computer a day.

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25% of children also watch television for up to two hours a day, while a sixth of kids watch it for four hours.

6) Mental health

The poll revealed one in five parents are concerned about their child's mental health, as the same number of 11 to 16-year-olds have shown signs of mental problems, with the stress of SATs and GCSE's a common cause.

7) Lack of sleep

With the growing number of televisions in children's bedrooms, as well as the number of tablets and smartphones, parents have less control over how much sleep their kids are getting now, leading to many being constantly tired at school and affecting their education.

Do you have any concerns about your child growing up? Let us know your thoughts.