Overweight and obese populations in Ireland and Northern Island cost the island 1.64bn euro (US$2.16bn, £1.34bn) annually, according to new research.

A survey by University of Cork research, funded by Safefood, reveal 398m euro (US$523.99m, £324.40m) goes towards healthcare costs each year with the remaining two thirds of economic costs in reduced productivity.

Eighteen weight-related diseases were studied and the main drivers of healthcare costs were cardiac disease (44 per cent), type 2 diabetes (nine per cent), colorectal cancer (12 per cent) and other cancers.

Lower back pain was a major driver for work absenteeism.

Director of human health and nutrition at Safefood, Dr Cliodhna Foley-Nolan, said the findings were important for establishing priorities in health policy.

“Excess body weight is associated with a significant burden of chronic disease, with negative effects on overall life expectancy, disability free life expectancy, quality of life, health care costs and productivity.”

According to a 2011 survey, 37 per cent of the island’s population were overweight and 24 per cent were obese and in the past 20 years men have gained an average 8kg and women an average 5kg.