The early deaths costs the economy $19.7 billion (10 billion pound), 77 percent or $15.2 billion (7.7 billion pound) are in the form of National Health Service treatments. Had the 70,000 cut down on fatty and salty foods and ate more fresh fruits and vegetables, they could have extended their lives by a decade longer, according to the report.
The report blamed British parents for feeding their children food with too much saturated fat, sugar and salt and not sufficient vegetables and fruits. Young Britons eat on the average only 2.5 portions of fruits and vegetables daily, half the recommended diet. But they take in 50 percent more sugars and 25 percent more saturated fat.
"Children's diet are proportionally worse than adults and the future of children's health is of particular concern," the report said.
Dr. Ian Campbell, a GP and the medical director of Weight Concern, said the unhealthy diets of most Britons is not due to lack of education. "We have this social security/NHS psyche in this country where people think everything will be done for us, but people have to want to get healthy, you can't force them," he told the Telegraph.
A healthy diet will save the U.K. economy $39.4 billion (20 billion pound) each year in lesser health care costs and longer life.
The United Kingdom is not alone in its struggle with unhealthy lifestyles. According to the World Health Organization, obesity has become a global problem and the number of obese people is expected to rise to 700 million by 2015.
U.K. Health Minister Ivan Lewis said, "Obesity is one of the great challenges facing both the NHS and our society." He added, "While government alone cannot provide all the solutions, it is essential we offer strong leadership commensurate with the importance of the issue."
