An expert's calling for recognition that obesity is a health problem, not a lifestyle one

More than 130 Aucklanders aged under 30 - including a 16-year-old - have had bariatric surgery in the past five years.

Diabetes Foundation Aotearoa chairman and Middlemore Hospital endocrinologist Dr John Baker says weight is often seen as a personal problem.

He says this has been reflected in comments made by politicians in the past.

Baker says until the country gets round to recognising it's a health problem - and have funded services, they won't make a lot of progress.