The authors, writing in the April 2008 issue of Preventing Chronic Disease, estimated that the citywide weight gain totaled more than 10 million pounds in just two years, according to a press release emailed to Xinhua Wednesday.

The city's rates of obesity and diagnosed diabetes both increased by 17 percent during the two-year study period. By contrast, the rest of the nation experienced just a 6 percent increase in obesity prevalence and no increase in diabetes diagnoses.

"Obesity and with it diabetes are the only widespread major health conditions that are getting worse in New York City," said Thomas R. Frieden, the city's health commissioner.

"To tackle this problem and help prevent the devastating effects of these conditions, New Yorkers must take in fewer calories, and to help them do that we must change our environment," he said. "Consumers must have calorie information readily available when they are ordering food at chain restaurants, and we must continue to increase access to fruits and vegetables in the neighborhoods where healthy foods are not readily accessible," he added.

In New York City, obesity increased among both whites (20 percent) and Hispanics (14 percent), whereas the nation experienced a significant increase only among whites (7 percent). In addition, the obesity rate among older New Yorkers rose by 28 percent, while the estimated national rate held steady.

The new diabetes findings are equally worrisome, the press release said. The local increase in diagnoses was significant among men, older adults, whites, and those living in higher-income neighborhoods. Both foreign-born and U.S.-born adults experienced increases in New York City (26 percent and 15 percent respectively). The highest rates occurred among black and Hispanic adults, and those who live in low-income neighborhoods