Millennials on Track to Become the Heaviest Generation

Health experts warn that millennials in the UK are well on their way to becoming the heaviest generation since obesity data tracking began, reports BBC. Seven out of ten people born between the early 80s and mid-90s will be obese by middle age.

For comparison, half of baby boomers, the generation born just after World War II, were obese by that age. Obesity in adults is linked to 13 different types of cancer, including breast, bowel, and kidney cancer, yet only 15 percent of people in the UK are aware of the risks.

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Britain is the heaviest nation in Western Europe, where the risk of obesity is higher than in any other developed country. In 2015, the highest number of obese individuals was in the age group of 55 to 64, but experts warn that younger generations are equally at risk.

Excess fat in the body, explains Linda Bauld, spokesperson for the Cancer Research Center, sends signals that can cause cell damage. This damage increases the risk of cancer in the same way as smoking.

Although millennials are known for following healthy eating trends, primarily due to Instagram, a significant number of people still struggle with obesity. Moreover, pediatrician Russell Viner warns that the greatest danger is that obesity is perceived as a normal condition rather than a serious health threat.

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– Awareness of the link between cancer and smoking has caused a drastic decline in the number of smokers among young people. The same awareness is needed when it comes to obesity, says Viner.