“Middle-aged spread” poses a real danger to health as people age, research has found.
A study determined the regardless of a person's weight at age 50, if they gained 20 pounds or more they were three times more likely to develop diabetes. Those who were already classed as obese at age 50 and then gained a further 20 pounds were five times more likely to develop type two diabetes.
According to the Telegraph:
“The study also found that people who gained weight around their middle also increased their risk of diabetes ... Lead author Dr Mary Biggs said: ‘The results of this study affirm the importance of maintaining optimal weight during middle age’.”