‘Mid-life crisis’ – depression hits British hardest
By Liz Lockhart
New findings show that there is a higher level of depression in middle-aged people living in Britain than can be found in other countries around the world.
Middle-aged people in Britain are in worse physical and mental health than they are in other countries, according to research from Bupa.
Bupa’s international Health Pulse study surveyed more than 13,000 people in 12 different countries about their health and lifestyles. The survey found that Britons aged 45-54 are more likely to be obese, more likely to smoke and more likely to suffer from depression than those of the same age group in other countries.
The Health Pulse survey interviewed 13,373 members of the public across Australia, Brazil, China, Hong Kong, India, Mexico, New Zealand, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Thailand, UK and US.
According to the research figures for the age group 45-54 this study found:
- 35% of Britons are obese – the international average is 17%
- 40% of Britons thought they were overweight while the BMI figures show that 59% are actually overweight indicating that people may be unaware of a problem
- 24% smoke ten or more cigarettes a day compared to an international average of 18%
- 27% said they suffered from depression compared to an international average of 17%
The NHS Adult Psychiatric Morbidity Survey indicates that rates of anxiety and depression in women are highest in the 45-54 age group with a quarter meeting the criteria for at least one common mental health disorder. In men the rate peaks between the ages of 25 and 54, with 14.5% of those aged between 45-54 suffering from one disorder.
2,000 people in the UK were questioned in the Bupa study. It uncovered that many middle-aged Brits feel gloomy, with 45% feeling negative about their financial situation, 30% were negative about their career and 21% felt negative about their life in general.
