Researchers have identified six ‘types’ of obese person, claiming that a tailor-made approach to each could save the NHS money.

The study identified the following groups: young males who were heavy drinkers, middle aged individuals who were unhappy and anxious, older people who despite living with physical health conditions were happy, younger healthy females, older affluent healthy adults, and individuals with very poor health.

In their research, published by the Journal of Public Health, scientists point out that presently obesity is treated with a ‘one size fits all’ policy.

The University of Sheffield researchers claim that targeted treatment would be a more effective use of NHS resources.

The National Health Services spends approximately £6 billion annually on obesity.

The six types of obese individuals, according to research Show all 6 1 /6 The six types of obese individuals, according to research The six types of obese individuals, according to research Heavy drinking males The heavy drinking males had high levels of alcohol consumption – but above average levels of physical exercise. rex The six types of obese individuals, according to research Affluent healthy elderly A large number of the ‘affluent healthy elderly’ claimed some healthy practises, but still had high blood pressure and above average alcohol consumption. GETTY IMAGES The six types of obese individuals, according to research Physically sick but happy elderly The ‘physically sick but happy elderly’ group had a higher percentage of chronic health issues – such as diabetes and high blood pressure – but low levels of depression and anxiety. rex The six types of obese individuals, according to research Younger healthy females Young women did not have health problems associated with the obesity. rex The six types of obese individuals, according to research Unhappy anxious middle aged The ‘unhappy anxious middle aged’ group consisted of mostly women with high levels of insomnia, anxiety, depression and fatigue. Despite having the lowest alcohol intake of the groups, they also had the lowest sense of well-being and poor mental health. rex The six types of obese individuals, according to research Poorest health Those in the ‘poorest health’ group were likely to have the highest BMI, as well as not engaging in any healthy practises – such as exercise. Getty

Data from the Yorkshire Health Study of 4,144 obese individuals – those with a BMI of over 30 – was analysed by scientist using a two-step cluster analysis to identify the groups who shared common characteristics.

Dr Mark Green, Sheffield University’s School of Health and Related Research (ScHARR), comment that his team’s research indicated that “those in the groups that we identified are likely to need very different services, and will respond very differently to different health promotion policies.”

“Policies designed to tackle obesity and encourage healthier lifestyles often target individuals just because they are obese. But a focus on just the group as a whole is not very efficient. We are all different and different health promotion approaches work for different people,” he added.

The paper discussed practical ways in which each groups health issues could be effectively addressed, taking into consideration their backgrounds.

For example, the scientists noted that it would not be reasonable to suggest that those in the ‘poorest health’ bracket take up exercise, instead doctors should be encourage more reasonable goals.

Equally, intervention in the case of ‘younger healthy females’ was not necessary as their health problems would naturally correct themselves.