A health and wellness expert is calling for fat Santas to be ditched from shopping centres.

Founder of Renovatio Bioscience, Dr Vincent Candrawinata, says “we need to start promoting healthy habits” and overweight Santas send a bad message.

“We can still be merry, and joyful, and happy without having to be unhealthy,” he told 3AW Breakfast.

Press PLAY below to hear why Dr Candrawinata wants to ban fat Santas

Dr Candrawinata says the expectation that Santa is portly is harmful.

“It’s a teachable moment for us parents or society to teach our kids and young generations … you don’t have to be a certain size to be healthy,” he said.