The number of people admitted to hospital in Kent due to health problems relating to obesity has rocketed by almost a third, new figures reveal.

NHS Digital statistics show 18,442 patients had a condition where obesity was a factor during 2016/17, compared to 14,032 the previous year - a 31% increase.

Around half of Kent's 1.5 million population is now said to be overweight or obese, putting huge pressure on the NHS.

The highest rate was recorded by Swale Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), where 1,726 people per 100,000 were admitted due to obesity-related conditions.

The Dartford, Gravesham and Swanley area was the next poorest performer, with 1,487 admissions per 100,000, while Medway recorded 1,600 per 100,000.

KCC's Kent Healthy Weight Strategy’s priorities are to take action on the "environmental and social causes" of unhealthy weight, giving children the "best start in life", promoting healthy lifestyles, and providing support to those who want to lose weight.

The report adds: "Obesity is a serious and growing problem.

VIDEO: Dr Julian Spinks discusses Kent's obesity problem

"Nearly 770,000 people in Kent are estimated to be either overweight or obese.

"Moderate obesity reduces life expectancy by an average of three years, while morbid obesity reduces life expectancy be 8-10 years.

"This loss of life is equivalent to the effects of lifelong smoking.

“Most recent projections predict that health costs associated with obesity are likely to rise nationally by £2bn between 2010 and 2030.

“The impact of this on the Kent health economy is estimated to be over £55m.”

But despite the rising number of hospital admissions, the 2016/17 figure equates to 1,047 per 100,000 people living in the county – lower than the national average of 1,159.

Data also showed 340 of the near-20,000 admissions were directly attributed to obesity, while admissions for overweight patients needing bariatric surgery stood at 222.