Tasmanians are in denial about being overweight and the ignorance is fuelling a diabetes epidemic, says an internationally recognised obesity expert.

More than one in 12 Tasmanians has diabetes  - but only a third know, says Kelly Shaw, specialist medical adviser in population health for the Department of Health and Human Services. She said our "obesogenic" society made staying slim and losing weight very hard.

"We know about 50% of Tasmanian adults report being overweight or obese," Dr Shaw said. "But objective studies show it is closer to two-thirds. That's a significant chunk of people who have a weight problem and don't know it." She said obesity increased the risk of gallbladder disease, osteoarthritis, breast cancer and colon cancer.

Hobart Mercury, 26/3/07, p9