WOMEN, BLACKS MOST AFFECTED - Obesity epidemic

Obesity epidemic may cut life

spans of young adults: Study

Washington: Because Americans are getting heavier at an earlier age and failing to lose the extra pounds for longer, researchers now believe that chronic illness and life expectancy will be worse than previously estimated.

              The study authors report that one in five people born between 1966 and 1985 became obese when they were between 20 and 29 years ole, By contrast, those who were born from 1946 to 1955 didn't reach the level of obesity until they were in their 30s. Those who were born between 1936 and 1945 didn't get to that weight category until their 40s. according to a report.

         "Many people have heard that Americans are getting heavier.But it's very important to understand who the obesity epidemic is affecting," said study lead author Dr Joyce Lee, a pediatric endocrinologist at the a university of Michigan Mott Children's Hospital. "Our research indicated that higher numbers of young and middle-age American adults are becoming obese at younger and younger ages." The researchers found that blacks and women are especially hit by obesity.