Taxpayers are footing the bill to treat people for diseases related to obesity – and health chiefs predict the cost will rise even higher.

Being obese or overweight makes people more likely to suffer from problems such as heart disease, diabetes and some types of cancer.

Government figures reveal the cost of treating people for conditions related to being obese or overweight in Central Lancashire was £119.2m in 2007 – more than £260 for each resident.

And it is estimated this figure could rise to £132.3m by 2015.

Health bosses claim a lot of work is under way to make sure these predictions don't become a reality.

Zakyeya Atcha, associate director of commissioning for NHS Central Lancashire, said: "These figures show what the cost could be to the NHS locally if the levels of obesity continue in the way they are doing at the moment.

"However, there is a lot of work going on to tackle obesity and weight in Central Lancashire.

"The cost of obesity to the NHS across Central Lancashire underlines the importance of promoting healthy weight.

"The costs relate to conditions such as diabetes, coronary heart disease, stroke, colorectal cancer and breast cancer.

"However, the true cost of obesity is likely to be underestimated as there are also other indirect costs such as absence from work, having to retire early and mental health."

The cost of obesity figures have been unveiled in "Healthy Weight, Healthy Lives: A Toolkit for Developing Local Strategies" which is available to primary care trusts and local authorities to help them tackle obesity in their areas.

The toolkit gives advice on how health professionals can support and help people to eat healthily and be more active.

It also gives an insight into why families and parents find it difficult to live healthy lives and reveals that just 11.5% of parents with overweight or obese children recognise it.

The Evening Post recently revealed that more than one in four children starting school in Central Lancashire are overweight or obese.

Dr Atcha said: "The way we live is completely different from the way we used to live in years gone by.

"There are many parallels with America where the level of obesity is much higher than in this country.

"We are now seeing what America was experiencing around 15 years ago.

"But we want to make sure we are the forerunners and tackle it so it does not get to the levels of obesity they have today."

Jackie Heighton-Lewin, weight management programme manager for NHS Central Lancashire, said: "NHS Central Lancashire is working to commission weight management services with genuine appeal.

"We have also commissioned 12 new health trainers to help patients better manage their weight."

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