1. Heavy drinking males: Scientists at Sheffield University have identified six different types of obese person (file image) There are six different types of obese person, scientists have today revealed. The distinction, they hope, will allow for tailor-made treatments to help different obese people combat their weight. Researchers at the University of Sheffield analysed people with a body mass index of 30 or more - a recognised measure of obesity. They found obese people fall into one of six categories: . The scientists said their findings suggest that clinicians and policy makers should not target obese people as a whole, rather treat them according to the 'type' of obese person they are. Dr Mark Green, who led the study, said: 'Policies designed to tackle obesity and encourage healthier lifestyles often target individuals just because they are obese. 'But a focus on just the group as a whole is not very efficient. We are all different and different health promotion approaches work for different people. 'Our research showed that those in the groups that we identified are likely to need very different services, and will respond very differently to different health promotion policies. Scroll down for video . 'In the future, we hope that GPs will keep in mind these six groups when offering advice to their patients.' BMI has long been used to measure individuals in terms of their height and weight, but does not account for variation across other factors such as health, demographic and behavioural characteristics. The team at Sheffield looked at health-related variables, including whether individuals reported conditions like fatigue, pain, insomnia, depression, diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease or cancer. 2. Young healthy females: The scientists said their findings suggest that clinicians and policy makers should not target obese people as a whole, rather treat them according to the 'type' of obese person they are. The largest cluster was 'younger healthy females' - also the youngest group (file image) 3. The affluent and healthy elderly: This group was the least deprived cluster and had positive health characteristics - although the group included a large proportion with high blood pressure - and above average alcohol consumption (file image) Demographic variables accounted for were age, sex, ethnicity and socioeconomic deprivation, while well-being was assessed by asking people how satisfied they were with their lives on a scale of nought to 10. Whether participants smoked and the number of units of alcohol they consumed in the previous week was also taken into consideration. 4. The physically sick but happy elderly: They had a higher prevalence of chronic health problems including high blood pressure (file image) As was whether or not they engaged in active weight management - going to slimming clubs, for example - and whether they made a conscious effort to eat more healthily. Researchers discovered the largest cluster was 'younger healthy females' - also the youngest group. They were the group most likely to display positive health characteristics, and engaged in some healthy behaviours. 'Heavy drinking males' showed similar characteristics, but consumed a high level of alcohol. They were less likely to be managing their weight, though did report above average levels of physical exercise and walking. The 'unhappy anxious middle-aged' group was primarily female, had poor mental health and reported high levels of insomnia, anxiety, depression and fatigue. Their sense of well-being was relatively low, but they did engage in healthy physical activity and weight management, and had the lowest alcohol consumption. The final three clusters captured different patterns among older people. The 'affluent healthy elderly' was the least deprived cluster and had positive health characteristics - although the group included a large proportion with high blood pressure - and above average alcohol consumption. The 'physically sick but happy elderly' group had a higher prevalence of chronic health conditions -including osteoarthritis, diabetes and high blood pressure - but exhibited low levels of anxiety and depression. 5. The unhappy and anxious middle-aged: This group was primarily female, had poor mental health and reported high levels of insomnia, anxiety, depression and fatigue (file image) 6. Those with the poorest health: This group was found to be the most deprived, and had the highest prevalence of  chronic health conditions. And they tended not to engage in  healthy behaviours (file image) The final group, made up of those with the 'poorest health', was the most deprived, had the highest prevalence of most chronic health conditions, and tended not to engage in healthy behaviours. It also had the highest average BMI. Researchers said health professionals should assess what group obese patients might fall into and treat them accordingly. For example, for the 'unhappy anxious middle-aged' an intervention involving increasing exercise may need to be mixed with psycho-social counselling, while for those in the 'poorest health', group advice on exercise may not be reasonable and more modest goals may be needed. Meanwhile messages about alcohol reduction could help tackle obesity in young adults. The findings are published in the Journal of Public Health.
University of Sheffield study found six different type of obese person .
Heavy drinking males, young healthy females, affluent elderly, physically sick  elderly, unhappy middle-aged and those with the poorest health .
Hope their findings will help doctors create tailor-made treatments .
heavy drinking males .
young healthy females .
the affluent and healthy elderly .
the physically sick but happy elderly .
the unhappy and anxious middle-aged .
those with the poorest health .