Obesity levels of adults in developing nations has almost quadrupled to an estimated one billion since 1980, according to a report from a UK think tank.

The Overseas Development Institute (ODI) has said that one in three people worldwide are now overweight and urged governments to do more in shaping and influencing diets.

In the UK 64 per cent of adults are classed as being overweight or obese and the report has predicted a “huge increase” in heart attacks, strokes and diabetes.

Worldwide between 1980 and 2008, the number of adults classed as having a body mass index greater than 25 grew from 23 per cent to 34 per cent, with the majority of that increase coming from developing countries with rising incomes such as Egypt and Mexico.

The ODI’s Future Diets report blames the change in diet from cereals and grains to consumption of more fats, sugar, oils and animal produce. Between 1961 and 2009 on average consumption of sugar and sweeteners has risen by more than 20 per cent.

In 1980, those classed as overweight in developing countries stood at around 250 million. That figure has now increased to around 904 million.

"We are already taking the lead in helping tackle and prevent this challenge, including through the government's Responsibility Deal with industry, NHS Health Checks, the National Child Measurement Programme in schools and through Change4Life,” said a spokesperson from the Department of Health. "For the first time ever, we've given local authorities ring-fenced budgets to tackle public health issues in their local area, including obesity."

to read the full report click here.