Tackling obesity is hardly rocket science.

Surely it is common sense that a balanced diet and regular exercise equals a healthy body?

However, the revelation that Oxfordshire Primary Care Trust spends a staggering £143m a year tackling problems associated with being overweight will shock many.

That eye-watering figure works out at about £225 for every man, woman and child living in the county.

But, more worryingly perhaps, the figure is set to grow ever bigger — to an estimated £159m a year by 2015 — if nothing is done to combat the problem.

But what can the PCT do that we should not already be doing as responsible citizens?

In another example of reliance on the state, people are turning to healthcare professionals more and more to cure themselves of being fat.

Take the case of 61-year-old Sue Bowles, who was referred to Slimming World classes after tipping the scales at 17st 2lb.

Surprise, surprise — after cutting out junk food and exercising regularly, she now weighs a healthier 13st 4lb.

What makes many people angry about the state of the nation's health today is that no-one appears to be taking responsibility for their actions.

No reasonable individual should ever suggest we should not enjoy the naughty things in life but, as with most things, a balance has to be struck.

Even gentle, regular exercise — like walking or cycling to work instead of driving — has to be better than none at all.

And children should be actively encouraged to run round the park, kick a ball about in the garden and enjoy the great outdoors.

An increase in the number of fat-related illnesses, like diabetes and heart disease, will put extra strain on an already struggling NHS.