Baby Boomers Appear to Be Less Healthy Than Parents

The Washington Post ^ | Friday, April 20, 2007 | Rob Stein

[CompSciGuy]

As the first wave of baby boomers edges toward retirement, a growing body of evidence suggests that they may be the first generation to enter their golden years in worse health than their parents. While not definitive, the data sketch a startlingly different picture than the popular image of health-obsessed workout fanatics who know their antioxidants from their trans fats and look 10 years younger than their age.

Continued at: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/04/19/AR2007041902458.html?referrer=emailarticle

[CompSciGuy]

Found this whole article fairly interesting, and was just looking for some comments.

Cheers, CSG

[fooman]

I see a lot of drug use mental issues around these folks.

[CompSciGuy]

I wouldn’t call this a direct Gen X issue, but maybe you could link this to the list?

Cheers,
CSG

[Canedawg]

“I see a lot of drug use...”

We have a Bingo.

[CompSciGuy]

It couldn’t be all drugs, maybe its partly a mental attitude as well? The article brings up the higher levels of job stress, a factor of the “greed is good” mentality that (some) boomers started in the 1980’s?

Cheers,
CSG

[poobear]

Well, the first wave of retiring boomers would those who grew up in the 50’s and 60’s. Lots of smoking and drug use may have taken its toll. But those like me who were teenagers in the late 70’s and 80’s took better care of ourselves and don’t look nearly as burnt out as those earlier hippies and beatniks.

;D! Cheers!

[Obi-Wandreas]

Here's the money quote:

"It is unclear whether boomers are really sicker or are simply more health-conscious by dint of being better educated and having better access to information. They may also have higher expectations, making them more likely to notice and complain about aches and pains that earlier generations would have accepted as just part of getting older."

In other words - are they really in worse health, or are they just spoiled whiners who expect life to be handed to them with no pain or consequences?

[ClaireSolt]

Yawn

[outofstyle]

...The baby boomers were much less likely than their predecessors to describe their health as "excellent" or "very good,"

I think boomers have higher expectations. Things start to break down as we age and we will not accept that in the same way that our parents did. We complain more.

[dawn53]

They are more likely to report difficulty climbing stairs, getting up from a chair and doing other routine activities

Maybe all the aerobic classes were a little too hard on the joints! Seriously though, my husband is a very fit individual, always has and still does exercise. But due to a sports injury, he needed a hip replacement before he reached his 40th birthday. Of my acquaintances, I know more younger people with back problems than older people. Maybe the boomers are a little "too active" or maybe engaging in activity that in the long run hurts them more than helps them.

My husband and myself are boomers (in our 50's)...and the interesting thing is, neither my parents, nor his parents exercised a day in their younger lives. Both sets smoked for many years before they gave it up. They weren't as careful with their diet as we are. Yet both sets of folks live/lived relatively "healthy" lives into 80's and 90's.

Go figure!

[Al Gator]

Nah,

CUBE WORLD!!

Cube rats are the highest risk group and in the most hazardous jobs.

WWII generation did real work, usually physical, that’s why they lived longer.

Cube rats sit on their butts all day and collect collateral.

[Pukin Dog]

Its very simple, actually.

Our parents did not have unlimited access to Gummy Bears.

I don't think my parents could have ever become addicted to rubberized sugar like I did.

[dawn53]

Now that’s very true. Hollywood, TV advertising, magazines, etc. have probably given us unrealistic expectations of how we should feel at “such and such” an age.

[welfareisslavery]

Good Morning. Ya turn on the Morning News on any day and you get a bunch of chicken little cr#p. There must be a million funded studies going on at any moment in regards to food. UT at Austin? That should tell anyone who reads this to use Caution and Common Sense. Truth is, we live longer, we live better and if were not for 50 million spoiled brat Hippies and Yuppies, we would all live happier. Now put down that transfat cheeseburger, choco chip antioxidant slime shake and go have a great American Day.

[Remole]

My in-laws are in the high-80’s and though they are slowing down a bit they are still in remarkable shape. They get up at 4 am every day, keep busy all day long, and get to bed by 9 pm. My father in law walks at least a mile every day and still has a 25-hour a week job. My mother in law cooks every meal from scratch, goes to the grocery store every morning, makes pasta sauce every day, makes 3-4 pizzas every day. When I visit them I’m exhausted by the end of the weekend.

[Al Gator]

This is getting ridiculous. Second time today.

collateral = cholesterol

[fooman]

agreed. but it the article does seem so.

[lonestar]

They are junk food junkies!

[goodnesswins]

"We complain more."

Not here......we TAKE action.....course we weren't your "typical" boomers.....if there is such a thing.

[KosmicKitty]

In other words - are they really in worse health, or are they just spoiled whiners who expect life to be handed to them with no pain or consequences?

ding, ding, ding

We have a winner!! :-)