Obesity hotspots are highlighted by the map of the UK, which shows the Shetland Isles has the highest proportion of obese people, 15.5 per cent.

But in the Wakefield Primary Care Trust (PCT) area, 9.3 per cent of patients registered with a GP are obese.

That means obesity levels in the city are among the highest in the country, equal to Barking and Dagenham in London, Hartlepool and Walsall.

Wakefield is also within a pocket of obesity in Yorkshire which includes Doncaster, where 10.1 per cent of patients are obese, and in Barnsley (10.8 per cent).

Leeds fares better though, with 6.90 per cent of registered GP patients classified as obese.

The "fat map", created by Dr Foster Research, suggests the problem may be getting worse when compared with a similar map published two years ago.

Although different methodology was used, researchers said the 2008 map is now revealing obesity in previously unexpected areas.

Outlying

Alex Young, senior project manager at Dr Foster Research, said: "We need to wait a few more years before we can say definitely that things are getting worse, but there does seem to be a growing problem in some areas.

"We are seeing parts of the outlying regions being affected, rather than just urban areas.

"Urban areas might be dealing with the problem more effectively, but in the outlying regions it seems to be getting worse – places like Newport, Plymouth, St Davids, Stockport."

Government figures suggest that two-thirds of adults and a third of children are either overweight or obese in the UK.

This could rise to almost nine in 10 adults and two-thirds of children by 2050, putting them at serious risk of heart disease, diabetes and cancer.

According to estimates from 2002, people who are overweight or obese cost the economy £7bn and by 2050, this figure could be £50bn.

Dr Colin Waine, visiting professor at Sunderland University and chairman of the National Obesity Forum, said: "Even a modest reduction of five to 10 per cent of body weight leads to reduced blood pressure, a reduction in the risk of developing diabetes, a fall in obesity-related cancer deaths and a reduction in total mortality.

"We strongly urge anyone who might be at risk to see their GP who can advise them on weight loss options tailored to their needs."

The report was sponsored by Roche, which makes the anti-obesity drug Orlistat, also known as Xenical.