Baby Boomers Living Longer, But More Unhealthy Than Parents

Obesity epidemic to blame

Baby boomers are far less likely to be in excellent health compared to their parents. Baby boomers make up the more than 78 million Americans born between 1946 and 1964 and, according to a new report, are facing unhealthier old age despite advances in cancer treatment and life-saving, cholesterol-lowering medications. Research from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey found that only 13 percent of boomers reported they were in excellent health, compared to 32 percent of their counterparts in the previous generation. Nearly 39 percent of boomers were obese as compared to 29 percent of their parents’ generation at the same age. And more than half of boomers reported no regular physical activity, as compared to 17 percent of the previous generation. Dr. Robert Cato blames most of the boomer ill health and disability on the obesity epidemic. "I think this may be a wake-up call to the baby boomers to change their lifestyles for the better and try to delay the kind of diseases and disability that seem to be coming at a higher rate than it did in our parents’ generation," said lead author Dr. Dana E. King. (NBC News)

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