New Study Reveals Which Generation Has the Healthiest Men

Gen Z men are the heathiest generation as they drink less alcohol, exercise more – and tuck into more meals cooked from scratch than older adults.

A study of 2,000 men of all ages examined different areas of their health and wellbeing from their diet and activity levels to how much sleep they get and how stressed they feel.

Gen Z – those aged 18-29 – came out on top after it found they also consume more homemade meals than any other generation, and also get the most sleep.

Millennials aged 30-45 were a close second, followed by Gen X – those aged 46-61.

Boomers, who are currently aged 62-80, took the bottom spot, with older adults exercising the least and drinking more alcohol than any other age group.

But they are leading the charge when it comes to their diet having the fewest takeaways and ready meals, and also eating the most fruit and veg.

They also emerged as the least stressed - with Gen Z and Millennials nearly three times as likely to struggle with feeling overwhelmed.

It also revealed two thirds of all men (65 per cent) feel they are taking charge of both their mental and physical health more than ever before.

Melissa Cohen, head of nutrition at Vitabiotics Wellman which commissioned the research, said: “It has often been thought that health is something of the youth, but the results show young men really do appear to be more aware of their wellbeing.

“But older generations are following suit – just perhaps in different ways.

“However – and whenever – you do it, taking charge of your own health is going to be good thing and it doesn’t have to be a big leap.

“Not everyone will be running marathons, but working to introduce small lifestyle changes, whether that’s improving your diet, walking a few more steps or trying to manage stress can go a long way to improving your mental and physical health.”

The study also found almost all men (98 per cent) claimed their overall health is important to them, but Boomers are more likely to prioritise their physical health (32 per cent) than Gen Z (20 per cent) and Millennials (13 per cent).

Instead, the younger generation put more of a focus on their mental health, with Gen Z (23 per cent) and Millennials (19 per cent) concentrating on what helps their mind – something just four per cent of Boomers do.

Of all men polled, half are looking after their health and wellbeing by drinking more water, and 48 per cent are going for more walks.

While more than a third (35 per cent) are taking vitamins or supplements, with 29 per cent of those taking one specifically aimed at men.

But more than half of Boomer and Gen X men feel they are taking charge of their health more now than ever before, with seven in 10 claiming they have only put more of a focus on their health as they have gotten older.

Of these, 62 per cent of Boomers think they take their health more seriously now they are older, while 53 per cent put it down to feeling they need to make more of an effort with their health now.

Others now have more of an interest, feel they have learned more about what their body needs or have had a health scare which made them take more notice.

Melissa Cohen from Vitabiotics Wellman added: “Taking charge of your health is not a one size fits all.

“What might be right will differ from person to person – but good nutrition, plenty of water and as active a lifestyle as possible is always going to be a good starting point.”

TOP 10 WAYS MEN ARE TAKING CHARGE OF THEIR HEALTH

1. Drink more water
2. Go for more walks
3. Eat more fruit and vegetables        
4. Exercise more
5. Eat less junk food
6. Improve my diet generally
7. Take vitamins or supplements
8. Eat fewer takeaways   
9. Eat more protein
10. Improve my sleep pattern

Gen Z men are the heathiest generation – but how do you compare?

By answering a series of questions about your lifestyle – from how much you drink and smoke to how often you exercise and how you manage stress – you can find out how you compare to other men your age.

Do you have a health and wellbeing age that matches your real one, or are you younger than you might think?