UK women dying 2Π years ‘too early’

Lifestyle and diet leave us lagging behind Europe

WOMEN in Britain have the second worst life expectancy in Western Europe because of their diet and lifestyle.

A report warns that they are likely to die an average of two-and-a-half years earlier than those in France, Switzerland, Spain and Italy.

Across Europe, longevity has generally improved but is being hampered by poor diets, binge drinking and smoking.

The World Health Organisation warned that high alcohol use, obesity and tobacco use remained ‘major public health concerns’ for all countries.

Its figures show that girls born in Britain in 2010 can expect to live for an average of 82.7 years.

Only Denmark has a lower figure among the 15 most developed countries on the Continent. The data also shows the UK has the highest rates of obesity for women and men combined in Western Europe.

A total of 63.4 per cent of adults are overweight including 28.1 per cent who are obese, These figures are a tenth higher than the European average.

Life expectancy for British men is 78.4 years but it is not lagging as far behind the other countries as it is for women. Experts said women here are dying sooner because of their lifestyles plus lower survival rates for cancer and other illnesses.

Last week the Health Secretary warned that even within the UK, women in some counties live longer than others.

Jeremy Hunt highlighted how those in East Dorset can expect to live for 86 years but women in the poorest parts of Bradford have a life expectancy of just 76.

This gulf is even more striking for men. In East Dorset, they are likely to survive until 83 but in Blackpool they die an average of 14 years earlier aged 69.

In particular, WHO officials flagged up obesity rates which have increased in almost all countries since 2010.

The report also found that women in the UK are more likely to die from cancer, diabetes, heart disease or conditions of the digestive system than elsewhere in Europe. For men, these figures are around average.

Caroline Abrahams, charity director at Age UK said the findings on female life expectancy are ‘deeply concerning’.

She added: ‘Healthy behaviours and effective care can help people have longer, healthier lives than ever before.’