Behavioural problems are more likely to be apparent in young children from disadvantaged backgrounds compared to those from wealthier families.

This is one of the findings of the latest report from the Growing Up in Ireland study, which also indicated youngsters from such backgrounds are at greater risk of being obese and having poorer diets.

Indeed, it was demonstrated that nine per cent of children whose parents never worked were deemed obese - markedly higher than the five per cent of kids from the higher social classes. 

Despite this, the report - which was funded by the Government - also discovered the vast majority of three-year-olds in Ireland are healthy and live in homes that are warm and loving, while also being better behaved than young children in Britain.

The findings have been compiled after follow-up interviews were held with 11,000 three-year-old children and their parents. These participants were first questioned for the research when the children were nine months old.

Written by Donal Walsh

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