Doctors from three medical bodies are urging the government to take immediate action to fight the obesity epidemic.

In a report jointly produced by the Royal College of Physicians, the Faculty of Public Health and the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, health professionals say a sustained public education campaign is needed to improve people’s understanding of healthy eating and active living.

It is also calling for the creation of a cross-governmental task force to develop national strategies.

Sian Griffiths, professor of the faculty of public health, said: “We are getting fatter because we are not taking enough physical activity and we are eating the wrong foods.

“The UK has the lowest physical activity for school children in Europe and the problem is worst in the most vulnerable groups. The solution requires partnerships at all levels.”

The report says more than half of the UK population – 70 per cent of men and 63 per cent of women – were overweight in 2002.

Obesity among six- to 15-year-olds trebled from 5 per cent to 16 per cent between 1990 to 2001.

It also estimates that one third of adults, one fifth of boys and one third of girls will be obese by 2020 if current trends continue.