A BBC documentary has found that health professionals are spending more and more time treating preventable illness such as tooth decay, obesity and diseases related to smoking or alcohol abuse.

According to the Nursing Times, doctors are becoming increasingly worried that a whole generation of children could die before their parents, if measures to prevent the rise of obesity and preventable diseases are not taken. Measures include furthering the remit of those in dietitian jobs, offering more support such as counselling and increasing the promotion of healthy living strategies.

The Panorama programme 'Spoilt Rotten', was shown on BBC One at 9pm on the 13th April, featuring staff from Alder Hey Children's Hospital in Liverpool, who reported a rise in the number of children being admitted with conditions that could have been avoided. Such conditions have meant that health professionals such as doctors, nurses and those in family support jobs, have spent considerable time addressing these preventable issues.

It is estimated that millions of pounds and hundreds of working hours are spent treating conditions caused by obesity alone, putting further strain on the NHS, as well as affecting the health of a generation of youngsters.

The Daily Mail reports that along with obesity, dental decay is one of the most widely publicised problems, with those suffering from gum disease or tooth decay at a higher risk of heart disease.

Medical Director at Alder Hey, Dr Steve Ryan, was cited in the Nursing Times as saying: ''It just shouldn't be happening. These children should not be suffering from these problems and they should not be here at this hospital - people are starting to say maybe this is a generation where children will be dying before their parents.''