MORE than a quarter of the planet’s population is suffering from fat-related health problems, a damning report warns.

And four million people died in 2015 as a direct result of being too tubby.

3 Around 2.2billion people around the world are too fat, that's 30 per cent of the global population Credit: Getty Images

Around 2.2 billion people – 30 per cent of the total global population - were found to be too fat.

The majority of these were ill as a result.

Levels of obesity have doubled in more than 70 countries since the 80s, according to the major study in the New England Journal of Medicine.

In the UK, a quarter of adults are obese – with a body mass index (BMI) over 30.

It compares to just one in 35 in the 70s.

And one million British kids are also dangerously fat, around eight per cent.

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Being too heavy increases the chances of type 2 diabetes, heart, liver disease and several common cancers.

Experts said the findings reveal "a growing and disturbing global public health crisis".

Researcher Dr Christopher Murray, from the University of Washington said: "People who shrug off weight gain do so at their own risk - risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer, and other life-threatening conditions.

3 More than one in four of the planet's population are suffering fat-related health problems, including cancer, heart disease and diabetes Credit: Getty Images

"Those half-serious New Year's resolutions to lose weight should become year-round commitments to lose weight and prevent future weight gain."

Experts analysed data from nearly 70 million adults and found high BMI was a health risk.

They called for medics to monitor BMI and offer weight-loss help to tubby individuals.

The U.S. had the highest levels of childhood obesity, with 13 per cent. And Egypt was the worst for adults, with levels hitting 35 per cent.

Those half-serious New Year’s resolutions to lose weight should become year-round commitments to lose weight and prevent future weight gain Dr Christopher Murray

But British experts warned not enough is being done to help UK families stop piling on the pounds.

Tam Fry, from the National Obesity Forum, said: "Governments throughout the world, caught like rabbits in car headlights, become petrified in the face of escalating obesity.

“Year after year mega statistics like these are published confirming that administrations appear powerless to avoid being crushed by them.

3 Experts said the findings reveal “a growing and disturbing global public health crisis” Credit: Getty Images

“The UK government is a prime example.

"It fails to understand how it could be employed to tackle both our adult and child epidemics.”

Dr Alison Tedstone, chief nutritionist at Public Health England said: "We need urgent action in every country if we are to address our global obesity crisis.

"Our work to tackle obesity in England is world leading and we want to see other countries following our example.

"We have set clear guidelines for the food industry to reduce sugar in the foods children eat the most of and will openly and transparently monitor and report on their progress."

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