They saw themselves as trail blazers and pioneers. They broke rules and redefined values. They took much for granted and expected more. They vowed to be forever young. But now, the baby boomers generation -- those born between 1947 and 1964 -- just hope to retire safely, hold on to their lifestyle, and stay as healthy and fit as possible.
That may not be easy. Boomers have plenty of reasons to worry about their diminishing future prospects. Although they never thought of themselves as anything but winners, millions begin to discover how vulnerable they truly are.
According to a survey by Associated Press-Lifegoesstrong.com in 2011, the latest of its kind, slightly less than half of all boomers consider themselves as reasonably happy. Most think they are healthy or fairly healthy, and nearly half feel that their physical health has not worsened over the past five years. In terms of health concerns, cancer ranks highest, followed by age-related dementia and memory loss, and heart disease.
Weight issues are among the most common causes of health problems affecting boomers. Two-thirds have made at least one dietary adjustment to lose weight, and more than half to reduce cholesterol levels. Overall, this generation seems better informed about the ins and outs of nutritional health than its predecessors.
Still, as other studies have shown, boomers don't age as well as their parents and grandparents did. Despite of their optimistic outlook, the truth is that only a small minority (about 13 per cent) is in really excellent shape.
Baby boomers may view the effects of aging as something that happens to someone else, but in reality they may end up creakier and sicker than their parents did, according to one study report.
"The message here is that we may not be the healthiest generation," said Dr. Dana E. King, a professor of medicine at West Virginia University School of Medicine and lead author of the report. "And 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 disabilities that seem to be coming at a higher rate."
However, despite of being better educated and having easier access to information about health matters, most boomers believe their physical well-being - especially as they age - is pretty much out of their control, according to a study by Bankers Life Center for a Secure Retirement, a financial consulting group. There is something uncharacteristically fatalistic about this generation when it comes to health issues, the study found. Most seem to think (falsely) what will happen to them is largely predetermined by their genetic make-up and/or to what extent they can afford advanced medical care.
Not everyone doubts the boomers' ability to meet their health needs, though.
"In true baby boomer style, they will probably do these things in a new way," predicts Tom Valeo who writes for WebMD. Since they are bound to live longer than past generations, they will have to figure out how to make this extended longevity work for them. The question is, will those years be vigorous and healthy, or will baby boomers sink into the pain and disability of chronic disease? A lot hangs on the answer, he says.
Fortunately, there is indeed much that can be done to avert, or at least reduce, the impact of the natural aging process, provided boomers - as well as the younger generations that follow them - observe health-promoting diet and lifestyle adjustments and take as many disease-prevention measures as they can. For this it is never too soon and never too late.
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