The obesity problem in Ireland is costing us over €1 billion every year with 35% - or just under €400 million - being spent on healthcare costs like hospital or GP care and drugs.
The remainder goes on indirect costs like lost productivity and absenteeism which add up to €728 million a year.
The study from University College Cork (UCC) and funded by Safefood identified 18 weight related diseases.
The main drivers of direct healthcare costs are conditions such as cardiac disease, type-2 diabetes and colorectal cancer.
Whilst lower back pain is a major cause of absenteeism.
Need for regulation?
The report says policy makers need to consider whether there is a need for regulation to address the effects of diet on health and well-being.
One expert said this morning that if anything the estimated price-tag is too low.
Donal O'Shea is a consultant endrinologist and Director of the weight management clinic at St. Columcille's Hospital in Loughlinstown in Dublin.
He was speaking to Breakfast here on Newstalk.
