Obesity is on a rise and it is evident from hospital admissions that have risen eightfold over the last decade.

A 10 times increase has been seen in the number of drugs given out for the condition.

NHS Information Centre after releasing the figures said that they could see that the nation was reeling under a weight problem and it had an impact on health service.

Last year about 7,990 patients were admitted to hospital which accounts for a 59 per cent increase on the previous year. Prescriptions written for obesity were 1.28 million which was 10 times higher than the 1999 figure of 127,000.

Tim Straughan, chief executive of the NHS Information Centre, said, "This report highlights the impact of obesity not just on society, but on the NHS.

The figures show a clear rise in hospital admissions, surgical procedures and drug therapies to help people tackle their obesity."

Mike Penning, the shadow health minister, said, “Labour have been shamefully complacent over obesity. These figures show the toll their complacency is taking, with thousands of lives being destroyed and huge pressures placed on the NHS.”

Experts had earlier warned that weight loss operations to manage obesity were not being done adequately.

According to the Royal College of Surgeons health service was saving money by rationing the procedure and that too after evidence that it was the most effective treatment.