The newly named chairman of the National Youth Council (NYC) has promised to tackle the growing issue of child obesity.

Physician and preacher Dr. Stanley James, who was formally named the new chairman of the NYC on Tuesday, said that by targeting child obesity he hoped to improve the lives and lifespan of Bermudians.

"Most of the chronic diseases that Bermudians face are directly related to obesity," Dr. James said. "It's important to tackle this issue early."

Obesity has been linked to a large number of medical conditions, including high blood pressure, diabetes, some cancers and heart disease and is the leading cause of death on the Island.

A recent study revealed that 63 percent of all Bermudians are obese or overweight, including around a quarter of Bermuda's youth.

Dr. James said that while he was also interested in tackling the social issues facing Bermuda's youth, particularly the Island's young black males, obesity would be his first target.

"These social problems stem from a long history of disadvantages," he said. "It's not going to be ignored, but I will immediately be looking at obesity because that is the Premier's mandate for me.

"We don't want to restrict our focus to just obesity, but that is the area the Premier has asked me to look at."

Following the appointment, Premier Ewart Brown said: "Dame Jennifer Smith established the NYC for the purpose of addressing the issues of the youth of Bermuda.

"Around 25 percent of young people between the ages of five and ten are considered obese, and teenage obesity is also a growing problem.

"It is because of this that I have asked him to develop an anti-obesity programme for the young people."

Dr. Brown said that he believed Dr. James' energy and enthusiasm would help make a difference in the community.