LOS ANGELES, July 9 (Xinhua) -- Obesity cost California more than 41 billion dollars in health care costs and lost production in 2006, according to a report released on Thursday.

    There was a 33-percent rise in statewide obesity rates since the last report in 2000, said the report released by the California Center for Public Health Advocacy (CCPHA).

    The report estimated that costs of obesity across the state could balloon to 53 billion dollars by 2011.

    In Los Angeles County, the cost of obesity was nearly 12 billion dollars in 2006, said the report.

    Dr. Jonathan E. Fielding, director of Los Angeles County Public Health, called the numbers "staggering," saying they should be a wake-up call for residents to take steps to combat obesity and inactivity.

    "Heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, joint problems and even breathing problems during sleep are all associated with being very overweight and leading a sedentary lifestyle," Fielding said. "Children who are obese are more likely to suffer from low self-esteem and depression. This report underscores the importance of Public Health's efforts and the efforts of our community and city partners in combating obesity and physical inactivity."

    The report estimated the cost of obesity in Orange County at 3.3 billion dollars and in San Diego County at 3 billion.

    "To put this in perspective, the economic cost to California of adults who are obese, overweight and physically inactive is equivalent to more than a third of the state's total budget," said state Controller John Chiang. "Think of the programs we could protect, the children we could educate and the families we could help if we could recapture those dollars by investing in prevention. These figures demonstrate the real and very unsettling financial impact of the obesity epidemic on a California economy already in crisis."

    Fielding said county officials have supported a variety of efforts to help combat obesity, including banning trans fats in restaurants and encouraging the marketing of healthy food and beverage options in vending machines and cafeterias.

    "We have also spent the past several years working diligently with urban planners, architects, engineers and developers to create healthier communities that promote opportunities for physical activity," Fielding said.