A REDDITCH GP's book has been selected as the official publication of Obesity Awareness Week.

Dr Rachel Pryke, a family doctor at Winyates Health Centre, wrote Weight Matters for Young People with the aim of helping youngsters confidently take charge of their own weight.

The reference book questions why weight matters to young people, and unravels the complex links between eating, dieting and self-esteem.

It also questions how youngsters combat the enormous pressure from the food industry to eat junk, and asks what families can do to help a teenagers with low self esteem or those struggling with an eating disorder.

Dr Pryke, who is also a member of the Worcestershire Obesity Prevention and Reduction Strategy Working Group, said: "I am delighted my book has been selected by the organisers of Obesity Awareness Week.

"Young people are particularly vulnerable to worrying eating patterns and it's important we raise awareness of it and continue the search for practical ways to help.

"I feel passionate about finding workable answers to this worrying epidemic of obesity and am very happy to join with The Obesity Awareness and Solutions Trust (TOAST) in exploring solutions to today's chaotic eating patterns, bearing in mind that the Government, the food industry and individuals all take responsibility for a person's weight."

The sixth annual Obesity Awareness Week, organised by the charity TOAST, runs until March 18.

TOAST represents individuals whose lives are affected by obesity, working closely with academia, patient groups, the medical profession, consumers, national and local government and a wide range of industries.