Obesity: The new global threat to healthy ageing and longevity

Population ageing and increasing life expectancy are triumphs of modern times. However, advances in healthy ageing and longevity are not inevitable. Recent data suggest that future generations may not age in as good health as those who are currently over 65 years of age, particularly because of the rising prevalence of obesity. Obesity is a worldwide phenomenon associated with urbanisation and global changes to food availability, eating habits, and increasing sedentary activities. The current and future global impacts of this condition on health, health care expenditure, and human life expectancy are momentous.