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The UK experienced a sharp rise in the number of people opting to have liposuction last year, according to the latest figures.

During 2006, plastic surgeons carried out 3,986 liposuction procedures, up 90 per cent on the previous year.

The British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS) said liposuction was now the third most popular type of operation, up from ninth a year ago.

Overall, there was a 31.2 per cent increase in cosmetic procedures, suggesting that Britons are now more prepared than ever to go under the knife to improve the way they look.

"These figures reflect the growing acceptance of aesthetic surgery, particularly in the areas of body contouring and anti-ageing," said Douglas McGeorge, president of the BAAPS.

"I attribute at least some of this trend to the continued media coverage which provides the public with an idea of what surgical procedures can achieve, as well as technological advances that improve safety and reduce costs."

While more people than ever seem prepared to take radical steps to change their bodies, there remains widespread concern about obesity.

The government is currently looking at labelling, school dinners and food advertising to help tackle the problem, which is a drain on the economy and puts pressure on the health service.

However, earlier this month, the influential Commons public accounts committee claimed the government had made very little progress in its efforts to reduce obesity among young people.

Meanwhile, research in the US has suggested that a single protein may be responsible for the brain signals that control fat storage, sugar use, energy balance and weight.

It is hoped that the study at the University of Michigan could lead to new, non-surgical treatments for chronic obesity.