As lifespans increase, healthspans are decreasing worldwide

Too little exercise and a diet high in sugar-sweetened beverages are part of the reason for a global rise in premature deaths, researchers are warning. — dpa

The number of people in poor health worldwide has climbed by almost 50% since the turn of the millennium, with many at risk of dying prematurely due to being overweight with high blood pressure and blood sugar.

People face “increasing exposure to risk factors”, including “low physical activity, and diet high in sugar-sweetened beverages,” said the United States-based Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) Program in Cardiovascular Health Metrics director Dr Greg Roth.