The benefit of regular fitness training in helping to helping to prevent the onset of Multiple Sclerosis (MS) has been highlighted by scientific research in the US.

It is well documented that a combination of healthy eating and exercise is the best way to prevent weight gain and obesity, but regular physical activity can also have hidden benefits later in life.

The study published in the American Academy of Neurology journal suggested that teenage women who are obese may be twice as likely to develop MS in later life compared to women who are not obese.

Researchers found that women who had a BMI of 30 or higher at age 18 had more than twice the risk of developing MS compared to those with a BMI between 18.5 and 20.9.

The disease risk among women who were overweight but not obese at age 18 was only somewhat increased.

However, according to a UK MS charity, the US study was too simplistic.

Dave Farham, service user manager for the MS Research and Relief Fund, said it was widely felt that the causes of MS is due to several factors.