How Poppy could turn out if she doesn't stick to a healthy lifestyle

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The image of Poppy Taylor has been digitally "aged" as part of a government healthy lifestyle drive launched today.

In reality, the 10-year-old has a good diet, exercises regularly and is a healthy weight. But computers have been used to show how she would look at 50 if she does not maintain these healthy habits.

Ministers want to alert all parents - not just families with a "fat" problem - to the obesity timebomb.

Experts predict that nine out of 10 British children will be overweight or obese by 2050.

London schoolchildren have the worst "fat" rates in the country with nearly a quarter overweight by the time they reach secondary school.

This puts them at risk of serious illnesses such as diabetes, cancer and heart disease.

Poppy is one of 10 London children taking part in today's hard-hitting campaign which is part of a government healthy lifestyle initiative called Change4Life.

The schoolgirl, from north London, exercises nearly every day and takes part in netball, gymnastics, ballet and jazz dance classes.

Her diet is also healthy with cereal and skimmed milk for breakfast, a nutritious school lunch and then foods such as chicken or salmon with vegetables for dinner.

Her mother Isabel Taylor, 45, a manager for a data provider firm, found her daughter's "after" picture "frightening" and it has already led to changes in the family's exercise and eating habits.

These include switching to low-fat mayonnaise and crisps as well as taking exercise as a family by swimming together.

For more information on Change4Life and how you can get involved visit www.nhs.uk/Change4Life or call 0300 1234 567.