A GWENT GP described the obesity rate affecting the region as a "huge problem."
Dr Greg Graham added: "People have got to get off their behinds and walk a bit."
As reported in yesterday's Argus, three local authority areas in Gwent made the top five obesity hotspots across the UK.
Figures published revealed that 13.9 per cent of the population of Torfaen are obese, putting second highest in the UK.
Blaenau Gwent came a close third with 12.5 per cent of people considered obese and Caerphilly was fifth with 11.1 percent.
Newport came 19th in the list with Monmouthshire down in 63rd place.
Dr Greg Graham, head of practice at Trosnant Lodge, Pontypool, and
North Road, Croesyceiliog, surgeries and a member of the British
Medical Association's Welsh GP committee said obesity has contributed
to an increase in the number of cases of type 2 diabetes.
Dr Graham said he is seeing more people in their 30s and 40s with the illness, which traditionally affected elderly people.
"It's a huge problem, I very rarely see thin people these days,
most people are of a generous or worse build and I include myself in
that," he added.
Dr Graham said poor diet combined with people doing less exercise has contributed towards high obesity rates.
Blaenau Gwent Local Health Board said they had identified obesity
and unhealthy lifestyles as key issues for the area and had developed a
range of programmes to encourage people to live healthier lifestyles.
Leader of Blaenau Gwent council, Des Hillman, said: "We have a range of first class sports and leisure facilities already and we are
working with the Sports Council for Wales on a new partnership initiative. "
Dr Graham added: "People have got to exercise in some way. We've
got wonderful green spaces, Pontypool park - name me a better park in
the UK, it's a wonderful place to walk."
In a joint response, Torfaen council and LHB said: "It is no surprise that in Torfaen and much of Wales there is concern over the number of
people who are either overweight or obese.
"We haven't seen this report, but we have conducted our own
research and used data from Wales health survey, conducted between 2003
and 2005, which ranks Torfaen eight out of 22 Wales LHB areas."
The statement added that the council and LHB would work with a range of partners to tackle the issue.