Findings in a recent research have proposed that an obese person is unhealthier than a regular smoker; as a consequence, they have to visit their GP or doctor more often, in comparison to a smoker, who has a normal weight.

The study is first of its kind, which has tried to highlight the link between obesity and number of visits to a doctor.

James McIntosh, who conducted this study, said, "The fact that obesity is more serious than smoking helps people understand the gravity of the problem because they already have some kind of intuitive understanding of how bad smoking is".

McIntosh referred to reports, which included conclusions of 2010 Community Health Survey, which included information of more than 60,000 Canadians.

He further tried to explain that if the problem of being over-weight was completely demolished, then there would be a decline in the number of visits to a doctor by 10%.

Further, if obesity is controlled, so does the chances of being diagnosed with type-2 diabetes. Hence, again a decrease in doctor visits.

It is being expected that there would be much more decrease in visits to a doctor as that subjected by McIntosh, as the reports he referred to didn't include information regarding weight history.