People are living longer now than they did a generation or two ago... but they aren't as healthy. That shouldn't come as a surprise. Fast food and push-button life-of-leisure aren't particularly good for you.
A study conducted by researchers at medical schools in West Virginia and South Carolina has some interesting findings.
They surveyed "baby boomers" (ages 46-64) recently, and compared the results with people who were in that same age group and took the survey 20 years ago.
13.2% of "boomers" rate their own health as excellent, compared with 32% in the older group.
Boomers have more instances of high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes.
38.7% of boomers surveyed are obese, up from 29.4%.
7% of boomers use a "walking assist device," compared with 3.3%.
65% of boomers say they don't exercise regularly, and 52.2% said they have "no regular physical activity." (Compared with 17.4% of the older group.)
On the bright side... there are fewer smokers among boomers, and thus both emphysema and heart disease are down.
The conclusion: “Despite their longer life expectancy over previous generations, US baby boomers have higher rates of chronic disease, more disability, and lower self-rated health than members of the previous generation at the same age.”
Story HERE.
Tireless advocate for the most efficient form of
human transportation ever devised - bicycles!
1 comment:
The Boomer's kids and grandkids are worse off. Agriculture, transportation, and public health reform is needed or we will continue down this path.
When one is sick we all pay. We are in this together whether we like it or not.
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