Long life? Fat chance

American health researchers are making dire predictions for the future of overweight Americans:

Researchers say that the explosion in obesity in the United States is likely to cut life expectancy, reversing two centuries of uninterrupted progress.

In one of the most dire warnings ever issued about obesity, the researchers say the next 50 years, growing waistlines will cause more premature deaths than cancer and heart disease.

"It's distinctly possible that our kids will live shorter lives than their parents," Dr S Jay Olshanksy, of the University of Illinios, said.

"It's a frightening possibility."

Ever the optimist, I predict there will be a number of breakthroughs that will make the predicted problem disappear. If the problem does materialize as predicted, the fatties should be thanked for helping to solve Social Security's shortfall problems.