Hong Kong children have the second-highest cholesterol levels in the world, with obesity becoming common, experts say.
Health problems associated with ageing, such as diabetes, are also occurring among younger sufferers, Professor of Medicine at the Chinese University Clive Cockram said yesterday.
'Unhealthy lifestyles, starting at a very young age, appear to be the trigger and lack of exercise is probably at least as important as over-eating,' he said.
Seven-year-olds had the second highest cholesterol levels in the world after Finland in a recent survey, Professor Cockram said, and a survey of six to 18-year-olds showed 13.4 per cent of boys and 10.5 per cent of girls were obese.
'We are facing an epidemic. This is a potential health time bomb in all urban areas in Asia,' he said.
Professor Cockram said it was due to a combination of increasing affluence, sedentary lifestyles, over-nutrition and urbanisation.