And it has nothing to do with the swine flu virus.

A bigger and just as worrying epidemic is sweeping the nation and it centres on junk food and obesity among our children.

The subject is being discussed the length and breadth of the nation at the moment by MPs, health specialists, doctors, social workers and parents following the story of a 30-stone woman who claims to feed her eight-month-old triplets junk food including fish and chips and McDonald's meals.

It's a depressing tale and one we are very familiar with. The father has disappeared so we have another dysfunctional family with no role model or discipline, living on benefits.

Twenty-four-year-old Leanne Salt has boasted to Closer magazine and daily newspapers of what I can only call her lazy, ignorant and selfish lifestyle.

Not content with risking her own health by being grossly overweight, she is blatantly showing little concern for the future of her two daughters and son.

Leanne says her own weight has nothing to do with her diet, but all to do with a health problem. Despite not working she says she is too busy to cook, save for microwaving pies or a lasagne and only bothers to get dressed up once a week to claim her benefits.

Is there any wonder, I ask, that she is being criticised by decent mothers everywhere? None of us are educated in how to bring up our children. It's a learning curve and we all make mistakes but common sense and responsibility take over. Leanne might have had a poor education where nutrition is concerned but she can't have failed to have noticed all the TV ads on healthy eating or have listened to the advice of her health visitor.

Granted her three beautiful children do look healthy but it's what's happening inside their bodies that is the worry.

Feeding them adult meals with too much salt can put a strain on their kidneys. The irony of her surname has not gone unnoticed.

No doubt Leanne will cash in on her moment, she may see it as fame, and appear on the Jeremy Kyle Show telling us how she's seen the light.

And while the authorities are breathing down her neck she might just have to make a bit more effort. But what's depressing is the thought that she will go back to her bad habits and do nothing about her own weight, let alone that of her children.

Even more disturbing is the realisation that she is not alone. We have the highest obesity rates in Europe, and a new survey by the Infant and Toddler Forum shows that 29 per cent of children under three eat a takeaway at least once a week, while 23 per cent eat crisps and 16 per cent drink fizzy drinks almost every day.

I wonder if Leanne has spotted the new advert on TV at the moment for Persil? It asks what is a mum? The conclusion it comes to is that along with lots of other qualities a mum is tough but gentle.

Leanne needs to get off her backside and join the club before she loses her children. And she will if she continues to plead ignorance.