Problem drinking is rising among Ireland's over 50s – while nearly eight in 10 of this age group are either overweight or obese, according to a major study.
One in three of the older generation is now obese and another 44pc are overweight, increasing their risk of diabetes and heart disease.
Abuse of alcohol is harming their health and is now an issue for more than one in five men in this age group, up from 17pc in 2010.
The extent of drinking among older women is also revealed with 11pc now saying their consumption is too high, the research shows.
The findings are disclosed in the second report by the Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (TILDA), a national study of more than 8,000 people aged 50 and over in Ireland.
It follows information collected between April 2012 and January 2013 and tracks how the lives of this age group have changed since they were last interviewed in 2009 and 2010.
Dr Anne Nolan, research director, said drinking was regarded as a "problem" if people answered yes to two or more questions relating to alcohol.
"It declined with age and there is a significant drop around retirement whether it is due to less stress or reduced income," she added.
The report points out that despite the background of "austerity" which marked recent years, the over-50s generally report a high quality of life.
Source: Irish Independent, Eilish O'Regan, 30/01/14
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