In the UK, a quarter of adults are now considered obese, with a body mass index (BMI) above 30.
BMI is useful for assessing the extent to which fatty tissue causes ill health. BODY MASS INDEX
Calculated by dividing weight in kilograms by height in metres squared
Normal: 18.5 - 24.9
Overweight: 25 - 29.9
Obese: Above 30
Each incremental rise in BMI above the healthy zone of 20-25 increased premature death risk, the Clinical Trial Service Unit concluded.
Severe obesity - a BMI of 40 to 50, which applies to about 2% of the UK population - reduced life expectancy by about 10 years.
Moderate obesity - a BMI of 30-39, which applies to one in four UK adults - reduced life expectancy by three years.
"We can eat less and move more to reduce weight. But smoking remains the single most significant cause of cancer death - and stopping smoking works."
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