'A reduction of up to ten percent in calorific intake would make a huge difference to the overweight, vastly improving their health. Obesity is well-known as a major risk factor in all sorts of conditions, including coronary heart disease, cancer, and the development of late onset diabetes.'

Their latest study, published in the journal Diabetes, involved patients being given injections of oxyntomodulin -- a naturally occurring digestive hormone found in the small intestine.

The injections boost the body's existing levels of oxyntomodulin, which is normally released from the small intestine as food is eaten, signalling to the brain the body is full and has had enough to eat.

Reduced Body Weight

A team of researchers, led by Professor Steve Bloom, hoped that these injections would help reduce body weight and calorific intake in those taking part in the study. A total of 26 volunteers took part in the four-week trial, with 14 given oxyntomodulin jabs and a control group of 12 given saline injections.

The self-administered injections were given three times a day, 30 minutes before each meal.

The researchers found that after four weeks, the group taking oxyntomodulin reduced their weight by an average of 2.3kg -- compared to around 0.3kg in the control group.

They also found the daily energy intake in the test group reduced by an average of 170 calories after the first injection and 250 calories at the end of the trial.

The recommended daily intake for men is around 2,500 calories, and just under 2,000 for women.

Obesity Epidemic

Professor Bloom, a senior lecturer at Imperial College London and Hammersmith Hospital, said: "The discovery that oxyntomodulin can be effective in reducing weight could be an important step in tackling the rising levels of obesity in society.

"Not only is it naturally occurring, so has virtually no side effects, it could be ideal for general use as it can be self- administered.

"Despite this, we still need to conduct larger clinical trials to test its effectiveness over longer periods."

Scientists are battling to find medical solutions to the nation's obesity epidemic, with more than half of the UK's adults now overweight or obese.

Major Risk Factor

Obesity increases risks of heart disease, Type 2 diabetes and causes problems with bones and joints. It is estimated that obesity costs the UK up to pounds 3.7 billion a year in treatment and days lost through sickness.

Professor Bloom added: "Obesity is fast becoming one of the biggest problems in society, affecting huge numbers in the western world, and with the latest figures showing 65 percent of American adults are overweight, we desperately need new solutions.

"A reduction of up to ten percent in calorific intake would make a huge difference to the overweight, vastly improving their health. Obesity is well-known as a major risk factor in all sorts of conditions, including coronary heart disease, cancer, and the development of late onset diabetes."

The study also found that leptin -- a protein responsible for regulating the body's energy expenditure -- was reduced in the study group.

The researchers also found reduced levels of adipose hormones, which encourage the build-up of adipose tissues, a type of tissue where fat cells are stored.