The gloomy forecasts came from Tim Marsh, a researcher with with National Heart Forum, who addressed congress delegates in Lyons, France. He said that in 1993 10% of Englishmen aged 18-40 were classed as obese, but that figure is predicted to rise to 40% by 2030 and up to 45% 10 years after that. And the figures for older men, aged 40-100, indicate that as many as 60% are projected to be obese by 2040. The progression for obesity among young women shows a figure of 12% in 1993 that has risen to 21% today and is forecast to reach 40% by 2040. Marsh said health costs were bound to rise as the population aged, but those associated with treating obesity-linked diseases were preventable. He added that if obesity rates rose as predicted, about two thirds of men and women will suffer from type 2 diabetes, which typically develops in later life and is linked to an unhealthy lifestyle. The health cost bill for treating obesity-related illnesses such as diabetes, heart disease, stroke and breast cancer could reach £320 billion by 2030.