British researchers have said the great economic recession that took place in 2008, and its ongoing impacts, have resulted in an increase in the number of people suffering from obesity, and diabetes, as well as mental illnesses.
The study conducted by scientists from City University, and the University of London suggested that the probability of being obese and severely obese rose by 4.1 percent and 2.4 percent respectively.
Similarly, the probability of having diabetes was 1.5 percent higher after 2008, with the prevalence of mental health problems increasing by 4 percent. It was also found that there was a decline in smoking and drinking, as well as fruit intake.
According to researchers, these changes were also seen to impact particularly women and those less educated, suggesting that uncertainty and negative expectations generated by the recession rather than unemployment might explain the changes seen.
The research published in the journal Social Science & Medicine studied the crisis’ impact on health by examining data from the Health Survey for England (HSE), an annual survey involving samples from 9,000 British families.
