Obesity 'lifts inflammation risk'

Obesity and lack of fitness raise the risk of illness by impacting negatively on the body's internal chemistry, research suggests.

June Davison, cardiac nurse at the British Heart Foundation, said: "These findings add to evidence that regular physical activity and keeping close to a healthy weight have huge benefits for your heart health."

And John Brewer, performance director at the Lucozade Sport Science Academy in Slough, stressed that an unhealthy lifestyle posed "real dangers" to health.

He said: "Whilst studies like this one, and initiatives from the government and health-promotion agencies, can raise awareness of the risks, ultimately it is down to individuals to chose a lifestyle and habits that give them the best chance of leading a healthy, active life."

More and more research is pointing to the inflammatory response as being key to understanding many disease processes.