OXFORD University will take on obesity as it launches a series of new studies aimed at encouraging a healthier lifestyle.

Three projects will be undertaken at the university’s Nuffield department of primary care health sciences analysing "behaviour change: diet and obesity."

Researchers will ask if meal replacements can help you lose weight, whether weighing yourself makes a difference or if feedback on your shopping basket could help you live a healthier life.

Professor of diet and population health at the university Susan Jebb said: "Most people who are overweight tell us they would welcome support to lose weight.

"But to help people make healthier food choices and control their weight we need to find out which methods are truly effective.

"These new studies are exciting because they create interesting new partnerships between the academic, health and commercial sectors to find new ways to improve health."

Director of the Collaboration for Leadership in Applied Health Research and Care, which is funding the study, Professor Richard Hobbs, said that the benefits of the research would be felt all over the UK.

He said: "By working with universities, charities, industry and local health services we believe these projects could make a real difference to the health and well-being of people in Oxfordshire, the Thames Valley and the wider country."

According to Public Health England, in Oxfordshire almost 61 per cent of adults were either overweight or obese between 2012 and 2014.

Being overweight or obese increases your risk of developing long-term and life-limiting health problems, like type-2 diabetes, heart disease and certain cancers.