A team of scientists is to collaborate on a new project designed to combat the increasing numbers of obese people in the UK.

Scientists from the University of Aberdeen, Rowett Research Institute and Grampian University Hospitals NHS Trust have formed ACERO, the Aberdeen Centre for Energy Regulation and Obesity.

They will study the condition and related phenomena in the hope of coming up with a solution to the problem of obesity.

Recent studies suggest more than 40% of the UK's population is currently overweight or obese.

Experts believe that unless serious action is taken, the UK will find itself in the same situation as the USA where more than half the adult population is overweight.

John Speakman, Professor of Zoology at Aberdeen University and founding chairman of ACERO, said that the failure of some people to regulate their body weight was clearly not just a matter of overeating or laziness.

"It is also a problem with physiology which might have many causes," he said.

Crossing boundaries

"This group of scientists collaborating across institutional boundaries is set to make a significant impact on our understanding of this problem, leading to breakthroughs which will aid in its treatment."

Professor Speakman will be studying body weight in animals to learn more about obesity.

Together with a group from the Rowett Research Institute, his team at Aberdeen University has received a �176,000 grant from the Biotechnology and Biological Services Research Council.

Professor Speakman believes the fact that many small animals change body fatness in response to day length changes may prove significant in the understanding of physiology's role in obesity.

He added: "If we can find out why this happens, then we might be able to evaluate the sorts of physiological problems that might underpin difficulties which obese people have in regulating their body weight.

'Thrifty genotype'

"One popular idea is the 'thrifty genotype' hypothesis which suggests the people who are prone to obesity have been favoured by natural selection in the past because they are efficient in storing fat.

"It is only when faced with a Western diet high in fat that the 'thrifty genes' start to cause problems because they are too efficient and lead to massive increases in body weight."

A second grant of �400,000 has been awarded to Dr Iain Broom, consultant in clinical biochemistry and metabolic medicine, by the international pharmaceutical company Roche.

Dr Broom and his team will be looking at the system of care for obesity sufferers, prevalence of related diseases and the treatment for these conditions.

They will provide specialist input and training to 10 selected medical practices in the Grampian and Highland region, and compare results with ten other practices not receiving this additional support.

The grant from Roche is part of a national scheme also involving centres in Glasgow, Leeds, Luton, Bedford and Birmingham.

Obesity is associated with increases in Type II diabetes, high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease and other disorders.

In 1997 the World Health Organisation declared obesity to be one of the most serious health problems facing mankind.