Next generation ‘will be obese and infertile’

THE next generation will be the most infertile and the most obese in the history of mankind, British medical leaders warned yesterday.

A report on adolescent health by the British Medical Association said increased drinking, smoking and drug-taking among teenagers was creating a "public health time bomb."

Their sexual health was also suffering, with as many as one in 10 women aged 16 to 19 infected with chlamydia a sexually-transmitted disease which can make sufferers infertile.

And lack of exercise and poor diet is leading to many more teenagers becoming overweight or obese, with the associated health problems this brings.

The BMA yesterday called on the British Government to put more money into services which specifically target adolescents, which it said were stuck in a "no man's land" between child and adult health services.

BMA head of science and ethics Dr Vivienne Nathanson said that practices that were good or bad for health were established during adolescence, making it a crucial time to instil health warnings in youngsters' minds.

"Young people are increasingly likely to be overweight, indulge in binge drinking, have a sexually transmitted infection and suffer mental health problems.

"It is high time we provided education and healthcare services that target the specific need of young people.

"We need to ensure that young people do not fall in the gap between services for children and those designed for adults," she added.

Dr Russell Viner, consultant in adolescent medicine at University College Hospitals and Great Ormond Street Hospital, said the lack of services dedicated to young people was a "scandal."

"The next generation will be the most infertile and the most obese in the history of mankind and it might also have the worst mental health," he said.