POOR education may be linked to bad health, but simply putting more people through university will not ensure adults are fit and well.

That's the conclusion of UK boffins who have teamed up with Swindon-based research company Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC).

Though highly educated people are generally healthier, childhood is key to our wellbeing later in life, says Dr Tarani Chandola, of University College London.

And his report found no evidence that better health among highly educated adults is linked to high intelligence as a child.

The study argues that policies on reducing inequalities in health should be aimed at specific areas such as working environments and health campaigns rather than directly at education.