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Posted on Aug 21, 2008, 8 p.m.
By Jeanelle Topping
Obesity among the elderly has been labelled a "ticking time bomb" for health services.
Obesity among the elderly has been labelled a "ticking time bomb" for health services.
In news that may be of interest to anti-aging physicians, research carried out at the Peninsula Medical School in the south-west of England also revealed that while being overweight does not increase the risk of dying, it is a "major" contributor to disability.
This is likely to put increased pressure on the health services of developed countries, Eurekalert notes.
Examining data from just under 4,000 participants in the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing aged 65 or over, scientists found the higher an older person's body mass index, the more likely he or she was to develop mobility problems.
Carrying out day-to-day tasks also became more difficult.
Lead researcher Dr Iain Lang said: "Increasing numbers of older people and higher levels of overweight and obesity will lead to a greater burden of disability and ill health and place an immense strain on health and social services."
In related news, consuming flavor enhancer MSG puts people at a three time greater risk of becoming obese, according to a study by the University of North Carolina.
