A Hampshire MP has backed a campaign to tackle obesity.

Caroline Dinenage, who represents Gosport, pledged her support to the recent National Obesity Week, meeting organisations behind it.

Organised by the National Obesity Forum, it calls for Government and business action but also on individuals to live a healthy lifestyle.

The National Obesity Forum estimated that as much as half of the British population could be obese by 2050, costing the taxpayer £50 billion per year.

Miss Dinenage said: “Obesity is a considerable problem in Britain and has implications not just for an individuals’ health, but the country’s infrastructure and economy.

“In Gosport, 20 per cent of Year 6 children are thought to be overweight, which is a very worrying statistic.”