The English health service spent more than four billion pounds last year dealing with the effects of the obesity epidemic, it was annnounced today.
And within seven years this could increase by half as the nation’s waists continue to spread, according to government analysts.
A new government campaign aims to bring the cost down to local level – by reporting a breakdown for every primary care trust in England.
The estimates link the nation’s weight to diseases caused by obesity such as diabetes, heart disease and several kinds of cancer.
Local health authorities are also being equipped with a "toolkit" to help them tackle obesity.
Professionals are being warned that most parents do not acknowledge their children are overweight – just 11.5 per cent admit to the problem.
Parents also underestimate the amount of junk food they buy.
Chief medical officer Sir Liam Donaldson said: "The link between obesity and preventable illnesses, such as diabetes, heart disease and cancer is undeniable.
"In England almost two-thirds of adults and a third of children are either overweight or obese; without effective action this could rise to nine in ten adults and two-thirds of children by 2050."
Paul Lincoln, chief executive of the National Heart Forum, added: "The new toolkit will help to focus minds in PCT’s and Local Authorities on effectively preventing and tackling obesities and continue to ensure that England’s response is leading edge in terms of world wide efforts."
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