A recent study shows that Baby Boomers are expected to live longer than previous generations but suffer from poorer health. Researchers from the University of Oxford and University College London (UCL) found that individuals born since 1945 have worse health compared to earlier generations at the same age. This trend is referred to as “generational health drift.”
Laura Gimeno, a doctoral candidate at UCL and the study’s lead author, explained in an email to CNN that Baby Boomers are more likely to be diagnosed with diabetes, high cholesterol, heart problems, and other chronic conditions than earlier generations. She noted there is little evidence of improvements in disability rates.
The study, published in the Journals of Gerontology, analyzed health data from over 100,000 individuals collected between 2004 and 2018. The participants included adults aged 51 and older in the United States and those aged 50 and older in England and continental Europe. The research covered several generations, including the Greatest Generation (born before 1925) and Baby Boomers (born between 1946 and 1959).
Across all regions studied, the rates of diabetes and high cholesterol rose consistently. However, diagnoses of cancer and heart problems increased the most in England and continental Europe. The researchers also examined body mass index (BMI), finding that age-adjusted obesity rates increased across post-war cohorts, except in southern Europe.
The study measured grip strength, an indicator of overall muscle strength and disability risk. Results showed grip strength decreased in the U.S. and England but remained stable or increased in some parts of Europe. The researchers suggested that regional differences in nutrition and physical activity levels could explain these variations.
While earlier studies indicated deteriorating health among Baby Boomers in the U.S., this research highlights similar patterns in England and continental Europe. Gimeno noted that the results were generally consistent for both men and women, although further research is needed to understand how factors like gender and nationality influence these trends.
Younger generations, like Generation X, also face health risks. Gimeno pointed out that Generation X individuals are more likely to be obese, have diabetes, and experience poor mental health compared to Baby Boomers at the same age. She expressed concern about the lack of improvement in these health indicators.
As life expectancy increases and fertility rates decline, population aging is expected to accelerate. Gimeno stressed the importance of preventive measures to help individuals avoid these health issues before they arise.
This research aligns with a growing trend. A 2020 study indicated that Generation X might face more years of ill health than Baby Boomers. People in their 40s and 50s were found to be in worse physical condition than those in their 60s and early 70s at the same age. The analysis of 135,000 individuals in England raised alarms about the trend, highlighting that longer lives do not necessarily equate to healthier lives.
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