Obesity causes a heightened risk of different health problems

The Medical Research Council Centre for Obesity and Related Metabolic Diseases will examine better treatments for obesity-related diseases.

It will also hope to promote a better understanding of the causes of obesity.

The centre will be based within the new Institute of Metabolic Science, which opens in October on the Addenbrooke's Hospital site in Cambridge.

Director of the centre, Professor Steve O'Rahilly, said: "We want this to become a world leader for transitional research into obesity.

"The scientists we are bringing together here come from a variety of areas within biomedical research.

"We also have strong links with the pharmaceutical, biotechnology and food industries. This centre will enhance these interactions to ensure that any breakthroughs in our understanding of the disease are rapidly translated into improvements in human health."