Health & Medical Anti Aging

Baby Boomers in Bad Shape

Baby Boomers in Bad Shape

Baby Boomers in Bad Shape


Study Shows Boomers in Poorer Health Than Pre-World War II Group at Same Age

March 6, 2007 -- Baby boomers appear to be heading for retirement in worse shape than their elders born in the years before World War II.

That's according to a study published by the National Bureau of Economic Research.

The study shows that baby boomers aged 51-56 report worse health and more pain, drinking, psychiatric problems, and difficulty with daily physical tasks than their predecessors.

"This trend portends poorly for the future health of boomers as they age and incur increasing costs associated with health care and medications," the researchers write.

They include Beth Soldo, PhD, Distinguished Senior Scholar in the University of Pennsylvania's sociology department.

Then and Now


The study looked at three groups: people born between 1936 and 1941, when America entered WWII; "war babies" born between 1942 and 1947; and baby boomers born between 1948 and 1953, after American soldiers had returned home.

When participants were 51-56 years old, they completed a questionnaire about their medical and psychiatric history, general health, pain, smoking, drinking, and degree of difficulty with common physical tasks such as climbing stairs or walking several blocks.

The questionnaire was completed in 1992 by more than 5,300 people from the oldest group, in 1998 by more than 5,000 war babies, and in 2004 by about 5,000 baby boomers.

Study's Results


The findings: In their early to mid 50s, the boomers reported more chronic conditions, pain, mental illness, drinking problems, and difficulty with common physical tasks than the oldest group had at the same age.

"Overall, the raw evidence indicates that boomers on the verge of retirement are in poorer health than their counterparts 12 years [earlier]," write the researchers.

The reasons for that change aren't clear.

Perhaps baby boomers are more informed about their health, or more willing to note health problems, than the oldest group. Or perhaps their health has taken a turn for the worse.

The researchers didn't confirm participants' self-reported medical history. They also didn't give participants checkups to gauge the true state of their health.

The boomers and war babies had similar data, suggesting they were roughly in the same shape in their mid-50s.
SHARE
RELATED POSTS on "Health & Medical"
Anti-Aging - Enjoying Life
Anti-Aging - Enjoying Life
Skincare Tips for Menopause
Skincare Tips for Menopause
Effective Wrinkle Treat As Well As Antiaging Skin Care Treatments
Effective Wrinkle Treat As Well As Antiaging Skin Care Treatments
Dermal Fillers - An Overview on the Way They Work
Dermal Fillers - An Overview on the Way They Work
The Best Anti-Wrinkle Cream on the Market-Which Market?
The Best Anti-Wrinkle Cream on the Market-Which Market?
Is It Possible To Build Collagen Naturally In Your Skin, (And If So How)?
Is It Possible To Build Collagen Naturally In Your Skin, (And If So How)?
Which Anti-Wrinkle Creams Really Work?
Which Anti-Wrinkle Creams Really Work?
Don't You Seek For Anti Aging Treatments?
Don't You Seek For Anti Aging Treatments?
BB Cream - The Skin Transforming Multitasker
BB Cream - The Skin Transforming Multitasker
Wrinkle Removing Cream And Beautiful Summer Skin
Wrinkle Removing Cream And Beautiful Summer Skin
How To Choose The Right Anti Wrinkle Facial Cream
How To Choose The Right Anti Wrinkle Facial Cream
Anti Aging Skin Cream Tips - Spend 5 Minutes a Day to Keep Wrinkles Away
Anti Aging Skin Cream Tips - Spend 5 Minutes a Day to Keep Wrinkles Away
The Facts In Wearing Makeup That Women Should Know
The Facts In Wearing Makeup That Women Should Know
Shopping For A Lift Chair
Shopping For A Lift Chair
Getting Older Doesn't Mean The Best Is Over!
Getting Older Doesn't Mean The Best Is Over!
Tips on How to Prevent the Aging of Skin and Collagen and Elastin Loss
Tips on How to Prevent the Aging of Skin and Collagen and Elastin Loss
Sagging Mouth
Sagging Mouth
How The Best Antiaging Skin Care Treatment Works For Naturally Younger Looking Skin
How The Best Antiaging Skin Care Treatment Works For Naturally Younger Looking Skin
New Help For Deep Forehead Lines
New Help For Deep Forehead Lines
Discover The 3 Best Natural Oils To Tighten Skin and Help To Restore Your Youthful Glow
Discover The 3 Best Natural Oils To Tighten Skin and Help To Restore Your Youthful Glow
Severe Vision and Hearing Impairment and Successful Aging
Severe Vision and Hearing Impairment and Successful Aging
Preventing Aging Skin - Know the Signs of Aging Skin and Learn to Combat It
Preventing Aging Skin - Know the Signs of Aging Skin and Learn to Combat It
Know What to Look For in the Best Skin Firming Face Cream
Know What to Look For in the Best Skin Firming Face Cream
How to Find the Right Day Night Cream Combination to Reverses the Aging Process
How to Find the Right Day Night Cream Combination to Reverses the Aging Process
What's the Best Way to Get Rid of Lines on the Forehead? 4 Great Ingredients to Look For
What's the Best Way to Get Rid of Lines on the Forehead? 4 Great Ingredients to Look For

Leave Your Reply

*