The number of people admitted to hospital for obesity-related illnesses has shot up by more than 10 times in the past decade, it was revealed today.
Statistics published by the NHS Information Centre show there were 10,720 hospital admissions last year compared to 1,000 in 1999.
People were treated for weight-related ailments such as breathing difficulties and even organ failure, a spokeswoman said.
Others were admitted for bariatric surgery including getting gastric bands fitted or undergoing gastric bypass procedures.
The report on NHS inpatient activity in England also found that the number of patients admitted as a direct result of being overweight had risen by a third in the last year.
"Too often obesity is seen as an aesthetic problem rather than a health problem, but these figures show that obesity is a real health concern," said a spokeswoman for Weight Concern.
The figures also revealed that the number of alcohol-related admissions increased 54% in 10 years, from 45,100 in 1999 to 69,360 last year.
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