Obesity rates in England by 2005 were the highest among the then 15 European Union member states, government data has revealed.
In the decade ending in 2005, the proportion of obese men rose by over 40 percent, that of obese women rose by almost 35 percent and among children it was up by over 50 percent, according to the Health Profile of England published by the Department of Health Monday.
The figures for children are seen as much more precise than those for adults, as they are based on hard data provided by almost every school in the country, while the adult figures are extrapolated from sample surveys, the report said.
The report comes on the back of a major study into obesity sponsored by the government, which forecast that the majority of Britons would be obese by 2050.
Obesity is known to contribute to some health problems, including type 2 diabetes. Overall rates for diabetes increased from 5.8 percent of the population to 8.4 percent between 1998 and 2004. There are now 2.2 million people in the UK living with the condition.
However, in the same period, life expectancy continued to improve for everyone. While a baby girl can now expect to live to 81.2, a baby boy can expect to live to 76.9, nearly 2.5 years longer than a decade before, according to the report.
Source: Xinhua
|
Comment
Tell A Friend
Print Format
Save Article