Ireland's growing obesity crisis will continue to put already stretched hospitals under further pressure.
That's according to Ballinamore GP Sean Burke following the release of new figures that show a significant increase in hospitalisations as a direct result of obesity last year.
These new figures show 207 people had inpatient admissions in Irish hospitals due to obesity in 2021 - up from 157 the previous year.
61 were aged between 25 and 44 - but the biggest age-group, accounting for 113 people, were over 45.
According the Leitrim GP, many of the conditions caused by obesity can be reversed or fully treated by losing weight.
"Take Diabetes for instance - most of that is obesity related," Dr Burke added.
"And, the number of people with Diabetes is increasing by the day.
"People just aren't getting rid of the weight and they are finding it difficult to loose it.
"The crisis is getting worse and down the road it will be horrific if this obesity crisis continues."
