New Poll Shows that Health is Paramount Concern of Aging Boomers

by | Jul 13, 2011 | Learn |

Poll Reveals We’re Unafraid of Losing Our Looks As We Age

77 million boomers are celebrating their 47th through 65th birthdays this year.

According to the AP/LifeGoesStrong.com poll:

Younger adults call 60 the start of old age, but baby boomers are pushing that number back, according to the Associated Press-LifeGoesStrong.com poll. The median age they cite is 70. And a quarter of boomers insist you’re not old until you’re 80.

Nine out of ten midlifers or 90 percent have made changes to their diet in at least one way and 61 percent have changed their diet in five or more ways.

57 percent of midlifers say that at some point in the past year they’ve worked on improving their physical fitness with a regular exercise program.

However:

Sadly, the poll numbers do indicate that based on self-reported height and weight that midlifers are more apt than those in other generations to have a BMI that classifies them as “obese.” More than a third or 36 percent fall into an overweight category with another 36 percent considered obese; only 27 percent have a BMI that’s in the normal range.

The good news is two-thirds or 63 percent of midlifers whose BMI lists them as overweight say that in the past year they have tried to improve their physical fitness with regular exercise – 68 percent have embraced some type of diet. Those whose BMI place them in the obese category are far less likely to be engaging in regular exercise (49 percent), but are just as likely to be following a diet (72 percent).

Concerns expressed:

Midlifers did have some concerns about aging, with the biggest one (45 percent) being a loss of physical independence. Loss of memory ranked the second greatest concern at 44 percent. Not being able to pay for medical costs worried 43 percent of those surveyed. Facing a major illness was a worry for 39 percent, while loss of eyesight also ranked as a concern at 37 percent. Loss of ability to participate in their favorite activities weighed on the minds of 32 percent surveyed.

Read stories about this poll from AP and LifeGoesStrong.com.