Which Group is Healthier?
Unhealthy lifestyles have caused too many members of the Baby Boomer generation to be in worse health compared to their parents during the same stage of life.
A recent study in JAMA Internal Medicine reported only 13% of today’s baby boomers are in excellent health while their parents’ generation was 32%. Comparatively speaking, 39% of today’s baby boomers are obese and 16% have diabetes. The previous generation’s numbers for these same conditions are 29% and 12%, respectively.
According to Dana King, a professor at the West Virginia School of Medicine and the study’s lead author, today’s baby boomers are twice as likely to use a cane or walker than the previous generation. “It’s not too late to adopt new, healthy lifestyle habits and make a difference in your health,” said King.
Don’t Wait for a Crisis
What will it take for you to make the lifestyle changes you know you need to make to improve your quality of life? Will you wait for a severe crisis that leaves you with permanent damage and a future of disability or will you make a quality of life choice, a Lifestyle Care choice, that will ensure your quality of life for the remainder of your years?
Easy FitNESS Acronym to Remember
The acronym FitN2ESS can get you on the right track immediately. To get fit and stay healthy as you age, you need these five things: neurology, nutrition, endurance, strength, and structure.
Neurology: Every cell tissue and organ needs innervation, or nerve supply, to function properly.
Nutrition: Choose quality calories over empty calories every time you make a food choice and drink plenty of good clean water.
Endurance: Cardiovascular exercise (walking, running, riding a bike, swimming) will prepare you for the marathon of your extended life.
Strength: We have all seen an older person struggle to get out of a chair. Don’t wait until you lose your strength to try and get it back. Begin strength training now.
Structure: The health and function of your posture, spine, and nervous system will determine how active and healthy you can be as you age.
If your posture appears to be changing don’t waste another minute and schedule a chiropractic check-up. Lifestyle Care can improve your health dramatically. It is very important that today’s baby boomers learn from our current generation of seniors and super-seniors who were blindsided by their extended lives. You cannot blame your genes for your current health condition. Adjust your lifestyle and optimize the expression of your genes so that you can enjoy the quality life you deserve.
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References:
King DE, Matheson E, Chirina S, Shankar A, Broman-Fulks J. The Status of Baby Boomers’ Health in the United States: The Healthiest Generation? JAMA Intern Med. 2013;173(5):385–386. doi:10.1001/jamainternmed.2013.2006 https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/fullarticle/1568518
