The obesity rate in the UK has seen a "steep rise", as more people are suffering from weight issues.

This new rise cannot be blamed on "fad diets", as the true underpinning reasons can be complex, according to a representative from Mind, Exercise, Nutrition...Do it! (MEND).

Paul Sacher, chief research and development officer at MEND, said: "Investing in evidence-based healthy lifestyle solutions that can be tailored to meet local need is essential if we are to protect the health of our nation."

Mr Sacher also claimed that "prevention and intervention" is the best method that can be used to tackle obesity, as he believes that many past measures did not help to negate the issue.

Meanwhile, a survey conducted by Datamonitor last month discovered that two-thirds of the UK's residents are overweight or obese.

In addition, the organisation predicted that one in four women will be obese by the year 2014.