Taking care of your health, a generation effect? To believe the US MDVIP poll, middle-aged adults, are more concerned about their health than those over 50, but take less care of it. The study focused on a panel of 1,377 Americans aged 36 to 51, qualified as “Generation X”, and 1,747 people aged 52 to 70 from the Baby Boomer generation.
It reveals for example that a third of the representatives of Generation X never go to the doctor, except in case of suffering (pain, symptoms) or fear that something is wrong. And 55% of Generation X say they have undergone at least one annual medical examination over the past five years, compared to 72% of Baby Boomers.
A healthy lifestyle, a health ally
Two-thirds of 30- and 40-year-olds admit they could do more to maintain good health: exercise more (67%), eat better (66%), maintain a healthy weight (63%) and manage stress (66%). Gen Xers are also not very diligent when it comes to scouting. Four out of ten respondents lend themselves to it against 55% of their elders. Paradoxical data for this generation which thinks that lifestyle plays as important a role (66%) or even more involving (20%) than genetics in maintaining their health.
Furthermore, lifestyle is an aspect of public health: one in two American adults suffers from at least one chronic pathology such as hypertension, cardiovascular disease or diabetes. Adapting your lifestyle helps prevent these diseases and control them once in place.
Also to read
More stroke risk in 40s than in baby boomers
The baby boom generation more exposed to skin cancers
Mixed health record for students
