Obesity set to soar to 26m Britons

The number of obese adults in the UK is now forecast to rise 73 per cent over the next two decades (GETTY IMAGES)

The obesity crisis is being driven by a food industry bent on maximising profits – but governments are failing to intervene to protect the health of their populations, leading scientists say today.

In the UK, the fattest nation in Europe, the number of obese adults is now forecast to rise 73 per cent over the next two decades, from 15 million to 26 million, resulting in more than a million extra cases of diabetes, heart disease and cancer.

Yet, despite the increased burden on families, the economy and the NHS, ministers have failed to implement preventive policies, because of fears about being branded the "nanny state".

Research papers published in The Lancet ahead of next month's UN meeting on non-communicable diseases, which is expected to single out obesity as the world's greatest challenge, say the drivers of the pandemic have been known for 40 years but governments have turned a blind eye.

No country was successfully tackling the threat as leaders feared the wrath of electors if they slapped extra taxes on unhealthy foods or restricted car use. But the consequences of doing nothing would be worse, they said.

Professor Steven Gortmaker of the Harvard School of Public Health said an assessment of 20 proven interventions for curbing obesity showed that eight would save costs as well as improve health, ranging from a tax on unhealthy food and drink, to restrictions on marketing to children.