A new report claims working parents are damaging their children by not spending quality time with them.

The study by UCC researchers for the Department of Children, suggests that busy mothers and fathers do not have the time to get to know their offspring.

The study which was set up to find ways to improve children’s health will feed into the National Obesity Plan.

One in four children in this country is currently overweight or obese.

The report also looks at the stigma attached to eating disorders and the “forced” competitiveness of school PE classes.

Sheila Geraghty, the Academic coordinator with the Child and Family Research Centre in NUIG, she says it is quality not quantity that matters when it comes to family time.

Ms Geraghty said: “It’s that time that you have with your children, how you make the most of it. If you are driving in the car to an after-school activity, it’s having the radio off and having a conversation.

“It’s when you are with the children in the playground, not being on your phone. So there are lots of ways you can make your time with your children of really good quality.”