£20 calorie counting smartwatch for kids 'encourages eating disorders'

A smartwatch that counts calories, aimed at children aged six and over, is encouraging eating disorders, campaigners warn.

The pink gadget, covered in images of unicorns or rainbows, has a built-in pedometer and calculates the number of calories burned.

Tom Quinn from eating disorder charity Beat said: “Unless a tracker has been recommended by their doctor, there is no need for the average child to know how many calories they are eating or the steps they are taking.

“Although the use of a tracker would not be the sole and direct cause of developing an eating disorder, it could promote unhealthy behavior.”

The £19.99 Kids Unicorn Tikkers Activity Watch comes with a one-size-fits-all band in a box that says it's suitable for ages 6 and up.

It is filled by Argos and Matalan. Matalan's product description states: “This watch comes with an adorable unicorn print strap that your little one is sure to love.”

Londoner Natasha Seymour, whose six-year-old daughter received one as a gift, called it dangerous.

Natasha, 38, said: “Why would you want a six-year-old counting calories? I dare not imagine where this could lead.”

But Tam Fry of the National Obesity Forum said: “Children eat too much and don't exercise enough. It's a big problem.