More than 20,000 overweight children are to be given counselling and taught how to cook healthy meals as part of a £2m drive to tackle obesity in Scotland.

Under the new plan, the youngsters, aged between five and 15, could also be encouraged to take up sport and seek advice from a dietician.

The psychological, social and behavioural causes of weight gain, including low levels of self-esteem, will also be addressed.

Minister for Public Health Shona Robison is due shortly to announce allocations for health boards to kickstart the initiative.

She said: "The Scottish Government recognises obesity is an increasing problem and poses a serious threat to health.

"The physical health risks for children and young people can include asthma, diabetes and musculoskeletal problems.

"If weight problems continue into later life, there are increased risks of serious chronic conditions, such as heart disease, osteoarthritis and certain cancers.

"Unfortunately, it can also have psycho-social impacts relating to stigma and bullying.

"This is why we are making tackling the problem, particularly in early life, a high priority."

One in five 12-year-olds is now classed as clinically obese and the government has pledged to halt this increasing trend by 2018.

The initiative will form one element of a three-year national Obesity Action Plan, which is due to be published before the summer and will be backed with an investment of almost £57m.

Ms Robison admitted the new treatment programmes would not be enough to solve Scotland's childhood obesity crisis and said parents and carers will also be encouraged to take an active role.

She added: "Treatment programmes such as these are only part of the picture.

"Government and other stakeholders have a key role to play in preventing obesity by helping to create environments that make it easier for children to be more active in their everyday lives and support families in making healthier choices in what they eat."

Ruth McKay, practice manager at the Children's Weight Clinic in Edinburgh, welcomed the drive and stressed the need for parents to be included.

She said: "It will be interesting to see how the children who need help most will be identified.

"It's very difficult for parents to know if their child has a weight problem or if it's something they are going to grow out of.

"There is also a whole generation of parents out there now who don't know how to cook, so they also need to be included in any new initiatives."