Eight out of 10 men and almost seven in 10 women will be overweight or obese by 2020, according to a new report.

While data suggests childhood obesity may be levelling off, the picture for adults is far ‘less optimistic’.

Not only will people be fatter but the incidence of diabetes, stroke and heart disease will dramatically increase, according to the National Heart Forum report.

Led by Professor Klim McPherson from Oxford University, the study has updated predictions in a 2007 Foresight report, to predict future levels of obesity in England.

The study said: ‘Unlike the recent report on child obesity, which showed some indications of a plateauing or at least a significant reduction in the rate of obesity, the future projections for adults are less optimistic.’

Some 41 per cent of men aged 20 to 65 will be obese by 2020 and 40 per cent will be overweight, the new predictions show.

Meanwhile, 36 per cent of women will be obese and 32 per cent will be overweight.

Obesity shows no sign of decreasing among adults and the incidence of associated illnesses – such as heart disease – will only rise, said the report.

By 2050, there will be a 23 per cent rise in the prevalence of obesity-related stroke, a 34 per cent rise in obesity-related high blood pressure, a 44 per cent rise in obesity-related coronary heart disease and a 98 per cent rise in obesity-related diabetes.

San Francisco Cronicle