Obese men who drink are 19 times more likely to develop the disease than average weight teetotallers and overweight women double the risk just by drinking two glasses of wine a day.
The two new studies show obesity and alcohol act together to increase the risk of liver disease in both men and women.
Rates of liver disease and obesity are increasing in the UK and it is now the country's fifth biggest killer.
While alcohol is a major cause of liver cirrhosis, recent evidence suggests that excess body weight may also play a role. . . . . .
____________________________________________
