Despite having one of the highest adult obesity rates in Kent, only 28 people underwent weight-loss surgery in Swale in the last five years.

According to a Freedom of Information request, NHS England spent just £115,000 between 2010 and 2015 carrying out gastric band procedures on patients in the borough.

This is despite 2014 figures from Public Health England show 28% of adults in the area are clinically obese – 5% higher than the national average.

It is estimated that combatting obesity-related illnesses costs the UK economy £4.7bn a year.

The data also shows the different amounts spent on each individual procedure.

In the 2013/14 year, a total of £40,205 was spent on treating eight people, whereas to date this year, just one person has had a gastric band fitted at a cost of £9,324.

Recently reelected councillor Angela Harrison (Lab), who sits on the health committee at Swale council, said that while people hoping to slim down should attempt to do it via approved weight loss programmes, there is also an argument to be made for people taking up surgery.

She said: “I am surprised there is so few in the borough.

“We need a number of prongs to address obesity, including counselling.

“Sometimes surgery is the only answer – I don’t object to this, but we as a country have allowed [the problem] to get this far.”

A Swale Clinical Commissioning Group spokesman said for a patient to be considered by their GP for bariatric surgery, which includes gastric bands, they must first attempt to complete a supported weight management scheme.

She refused to comment on the criteria GPs use when recommending someone for surgery.