AGE UK has stated that elderly and successful people are at an increased risk of harmful drinking. Researchers said though these people take care of their health very well and do regular exercise as well, they are more prone to excessive drinking than their less-successful peers.

The researchers said the revelation has been termed as ‘hidden health and social problem’ because it is considered that wealthy middle class people are living good lifestyle. Age UK's Chief Economist, Professor Jose Iparraguirre, said their research shows that public health awareness messages are not reaching at the high income groups that are at the maximum risk.

Prof. Jose stated, “Because this group is typically healthier than other parts of the older population, they might not realise that what they are doing is putting their health in danger”.

The research’s findings are based on the answers of more than 9,000 people aged above 50 years and have taken part in the English Longitudinal Survey of Ageing. During the interview, the participants were questioned about a number of things including income, educational attainment, health, physical activity levels, loneliness depression, marital status, and employment.

The researchers said the risk of harmful drinking was at its peak among men in their early 60s and then it declined. It has also been found that women getting fat pay packages and the ones who have retired were also more likely to indulge into heavy drinking.