According to Department of Health figures, the poorest children are almost twice as likely to be obese than the richest.

BBC: Poorer children more likely to be obese, says Anna Soubry

Almost three-quarters of men are obese, compared to fewer than two-thirds of women.

WSJ: Guys Left Behind

When she was obese, Hill says, she felt almost invisible, and even though she didn't want to believe it, people ignored her.

CNN: Surgery helps woman drop 135 pounds, 10 dress sizes

Recent research on 34 obese type 2 diabetic patients showed that almost three-quarters of those who underwent gastric bypass surgery showed no clinical signs of type 2 diabetes after two years.

BBC: 'My type 2 diabetes was cured after gastric bypass op'

Around two-thirds of Americans, including almost one-third of children, are overweight or obese.

ECONOMIST: Lexington