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Top five boys' names in 1950s: James, Michael, Robert, John, David. Top five in 2000s: Jacob, Michael, Joshua, Matthew, Andrew
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When It Comes To Their Health, Baby boomers Act Like Ponce de Leon and Pursue Their Fountain of Youth Through Water, Not Diet and Exercise
RICHMOND, VIRGINIA -- December 29, 2005
For Baby Boomers over the age of
50, the New Year's resolution they are most likely to keep is to drink plenty
of water and take two vitamins.
That is about all they do to stay healthy, according to the latest
Southeastern Institute of Research/Boomer Project Boomer Trend Report. The
research among 1,400 adults conducted in November 2005 found that Baby Boomers
over the age of 50 say the most important things to do to stay healthy are to
exercise regularly, eat a balanced diet and drink plenty of water.
But when it comes to what they actually do on a regular basis, the only
things Boomers over 50 say they do are drink plenty of water, take vitamins
and get routine healthcare. They do not exercise regularly or eat a balanced
diet.
When asked about the importance of several activities to staying healthy,
two-thirds of Boomers over 50 said regular exercise and eating a balanced diet
were very important. 65% of Boomers over 50 also said drinking plenty of
water is very important.
Yet, when asked how often they do those activities, only 21% of Boomers
over 50 said they exercised regularly, and only 28% said they eat a balanced
diet. However, 44% said they drink plenty of water, 49% said they get routine
healthcare and 50% take vitamins (see chart below).
"Boomers over 50 may be healthier, wealthier and better educated than any
previo
us generation of 50-year-olds in American history," said Matt Thornhill,
president of the Boomer Project. "But they also may be poised for a big fall
if all they do to stay healthy is drink designer water and pop vitamins all
day long."
The research also found that Boomers ages 41-50 and Young Adults, those
18-40 years old, scored similarly to older Boomers on knowing what is
important to staying healthy and how often they do those things, with the
exception of taking vitamins. Those under 50 are less likely to take vitamins
regularly.
"These results certainly mix good news with bad. Clearly Boomers know
what to do to stay healthy. But they just aren't doing it," said Thornhill.
"This gap between knowledge and action must be bridged, and fast."
| Boomers Age 50+
To stay healthy ... |
| |
Very Important To Do |
Actually Do All The Time |
| Exercise Regularly |
67% |
21% |
| Eat a Balanced Diet |
67% |
25% |
| Drink Plenty of Water |
65% |
44% |
| Watch My Weight |
64% |
27% |
| Get Routine Healthcare |
63% |
48% |
| Get Enough Sleep |
63% |
29% |
| Watch What I Eat |
61% |
28% |
| Take Vitamins |
45% |
50% |
| Limit Calories |
44% |
16% |
Questions:
How important do you believe the following activities are to staying healthy? Results are percentage who said "very important."
How often do you do these activities? Results are percentage who said "do all the time."
Contact Matt Thornhill, 804-690-4837.
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