Researchers predict 98 percent rise in type-2 diabetes

LONDON - Obesity among adults is continuing to rise, implying worrisome increases in conditions like heart disease and cancer by 2020 and 98 percent rise in type-2 diabetes by 2050, says a new study.

Led by Klim McPherson, Oxford University professor, researchers conducted the analysis by preparing forecasts up to 2020 for overweight and obesity levels among adults using the most recent data and comparing them to previous estimates.

Their analysis shows a substantial increase in cardiovascular diseases, particularly coronary heart disease (CHD).

By 2050, they predict a 23 percent rise in the prevalence of obesity-related stroke, a 34 percent rise in obesity-related hypertension, a 44 percent rise in obesity-related coronary heart disease and 98 percent rise in type-2 diabetes.

“This new report paints a gloomy picture of the future…. Type-2 diabetes accounts for 90 percent of all cases of diabetes and obesity is one of its leading causes,” said Diabetes UK Care Adviser Cathy Moulton.

“Historically a condition that only develops in the over forties, type-2 diabetes is now worryingly being diagnosed in children as young as seven, a situation almost unheard of just a generation ago, and purely as a result of obesity,” said Moulton.

“There is every reason we can reverse these trends if the recommended daily level of 60 minutes’ physical activity, achievable for most children, is combined with a healthy balanced diet, rich in fruit and vegetables and low in fat, sugar and salt.

“Unless we take action now, we will be putting a generation at risk of the many devastating complications associated with obesity,” concluded Moulton, according to a release of Diabetes UK.