The Real Health of Baby Boomers
The picture that many of us have had of the ‘average’ baby boomer is one of an active, healthy adult who is ‘enjoying’ heading into senior citizen status. But recent reports of some new studies are starting to paint a different picture, which are making health professionals sit up and take notice. Before talking about the numbers, though, the bottom line is that baby boomers may actually be LESS healthy than their parents!
Every two years, the University of Michigan Health and Retirement Study (HRS) surveys over 22,000 Americans over 50 years old. This study is supported by the NIH and helps paint a picture of multiple aspects of where our aging society is in such areas as physical and mental health, financial status, labor market status, retirement planning, and more.
When researchers started to study the first wave of baby boomers, those born between 1948 and 1053, they found these subjects were reporting poorer health than groups before them, born between 1936 and 1947. They were much less likely than their predecessors to describe their health as “excellent” or “very good” and reported having more difficulty with routine tasks, such as walking several blocks or lifting 10 pounds. They also appeared to have more pain, drinking and psychiatric problems and chronic problems than previous ages.
As can be expected, many critics point out that this really isn’t telling us enough information at this time. However, these findings are consistent with a number of studies, including one last year that found American adults have poorer health than their British counterparts, and a preliminary analysis of data collected between 1972 and 2003 for the National Health Interview Survey, a nationally representative survey of more than 100,000 Americans. Another study produced similar findings in a survey of 2,500 adults between 1995 and 2001.
The funny thing is many baby boomers consider themselves healthier, too! But are they really? I have worked with many people in this age category and although I try to help them improve their health and fitness levels, often one of two things happens: Either they continue to struggle, sometimes without success, or they decide that the solution is more supplements and surgery, rather than real lifestyle changes.
This generation IS healthier in some ways; they are less likely to smoke and their gym membership status is high. However, overall they are less active in their daily lives than their parents and others who lived before them. They go to the gym because their daily life is completely devoid of physical activity. In America, try walking to work or to the local store! It’s either impossible or just too unsafe. This generation lives under constant stress with the faster-paced lifestyles, too. Although we hear of the wealthier aspect of this generation, what is also known is the baby boomer generation have not been savers. Consequently, they have to continue to work into their 60’s in order to pay the bills. They may also have children who are not independent and also have parents who need attention and care.
With time so limited, and responsibilities so great, attention to their health takes a back seat. Diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol are very high in this age group, it was found. And many people are on various medications to help counter these health problems. And it’s no secret that obesity is epidemic in America, which increases the risks for these diseases and more.
Skeptics also point to the fact that the life expectance of Americans has increased. However, this may be because this population are diagnosed earlier, which means they can live longer with chronic diseases. But these reports may also indicate that baby boomers are less tolerant to aches and pains than their predecessors. They are NOT going into old age easily!
Regardless of what this all really means, these Studies are watched by policymakers. The concern is if this population is less healthy than the earlier population, this can effect the country’s future as we consider Social Security, retirement programs and medial programs.
So, after all this gloom, what is the answer? I guess it’s nothing different than I always talk about! Are you exercising on a regular basis? How many fruits and veggies are you eating each day? What about the types of protein you are eating; is it a lot of animal protein or are you incorporating more beans and plant proteins into your diet? And what about stress; what are you doing for it? None of these questions is something to focus on at the exclusion of the others. As an example, almost every 50 year-old woman I have started to work with told me when we first met that they ‘normally’ had constipation. Across the board they ate very few fruits and veggies, although they thought they ate plenty, and they all proudly shared that they didn’t sweat! Hm; that gave us plenty to work on with just those two facts!
To read more about the Health & Retirement Study, click here: http://hrsonline.isr.umich.edu/
Every two years, the University of Michigan Health and Retirement Study (HRS) surveys over 22,000 Americans over 50 years old. This study is supported by the NIH and helps paint a picture of multiple aspects of where our aging society is in such areas as physical and mental health, financial status, labor market status, retirement planning, and more.
When researchers started to study the first wave of baby boomers, those born between 1948 and 1053, they found these subjects were reporting poorer health than groups before them, born between 1936 and 1947. They were much less likely than their predecessors to describe their health as “excellent” or “very good” and reported having more difficulty with routine tasks, such as walking several blocks or lifting 10 pounds. They also appeared to have more pain, drinking and psychiatric problems and chronic problems than previous ages.
As can be expected, many critics point out that this really isn’t telling us enough information at this time. However, these findings are consistent with a number of studies, including one last year that found American adults have poorer health than their British counterparts, and a preliminary analysis of data collected between 1972 and 2003 for the National Health Interview Survey, a nationally representative survey of more than 100,000 Americans. Another study produced similar findings in a survey of 2,500 adults between 1995 and 2001.
The funny thing is many baby boomers consider themselves healthier, too! But are they really? I have worked with many people in this age category and although I try to help them improve their health and fitness levels, often one of two things happens: Either they continue to struggle, sometimes without success, or they decide that the solution is more supplements and surgery, rather than real lifestyle changes.
This generation IS healthier in some ways; they are less likely to smoke and their gym membership status is high. However, overall they are less active in their daily lives than their parents and others who lived before them. They go to the gym because their daily life is completely devoid of physical activity. In America, try walking to work or to the local store! It’s either impossible or just too unsafe. This generation lives under constant stress with the faster-paced lifestyles, too. Although we hear of the wealthier aspect of this generation, what is also known is the baby boomer generation have not been savers. Consequently, they have to continue to work into their 60’s in order to pay the bills. They may also have children who are not independent and also have parents who need attention and care.
With time so limited, and responsibilities so great, attention to their health takes a back seat. Diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol are very high in this age group, it was found. And many people are on various medications to help counter these health problems. And it’s no secret that obesity is epidemic in America, which increases the risks for these diseases and more.
Skeptics also point to the fact that the life expectance of Americans has increased. However, this may be because this population are diagnosed earlier, which means they can live longer with chronic diseases. But these reports may also indicate that baby boomers are less tolerant to aches and pains than their predecessors. They are NOT going into old age easily!
Regardless of what this all really means, these Studies are watched by policymakers. The concern is if this population is less healthy than the earlier population, this can effect the country’s future as we consider Social Security, retirement programs and medial programs.
So, after all this gloom, what is the answer? I guess it’s nothing different than I always talk about! Are you exercising on a regular basis? How many fruits and veggies are you eating each day? What about the types of protein you are eating; is it a lot of animal protein or are you incorporating more beans and plant proteins into your diet? And what about stress; what are you doing for it? None of these questions is something to focus on at the exclusion of the others. As an example, almost every 50 year-old woman I have started to work with told me when we first met that they ‘normally’ had constipation. Across the board they ate very few fruits and veggies, although they thought they ate plenty, and they all proudly shared that they didn’t sweat! Hm; that gave us plenty to work on with just those two facts!
To read more about the Health & Retirement Study, click here: http://hrsonline.isr.umich.edu/
posted by Margie Geiser, MBA, RD, NSCA-CPT at
8:46 AM
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