h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Research reported in the Independent on Sunday (UK newspaper) says that Britain is now the second-fattest nation in the developed world, trailing only behind America. Obesity causes 9000 premature deaths p.a. and the annual cost to thr NHS is estimated up to £1bn

The situation is likely to get dramatically worse. Apparently, obesity in adults has risen by more than a third since 2003, and one-third of adults are expected to be clincally obese by 2010.
In 2003, just over 9 million adults worldwide were classed as obese - but by 20120 the figure will have rocketed to almost 13 million.
In Britain, in 2003, 17% of boys and 16% of girls were classed as chronically overweight..
By 2010, it is expected that 19% of boys and 22% of girls between the ages of 2 and 15 will be obese - some 17 million children in total.
Experts predict that half of all children could be obese by 2020.
Capmaigners have been warning that the current generation of childrenm could be the first for many decades to have lower life expectancy than their parents.