A new interactive quiz allows men to determine their health age by answering questions about lifestyle factors such as alcohol consumption, smoking, exercise frequency, and stress management. The tool compares results with peers of the same age, revealing whether one's health age matches their chronological age or is younger.
Gen Z Leads in Healthy Habits
Research commissioned by Vitabiotics Wellman, which surveyed 2,000 men across all age groups, found that those aged 18-29 (Gen Z) take their health most seriously. They consume the fewest alcoholic drinks and exercise the most of any generation. Gen Z also tends to get more sleep and eat more homemade meals compared to older adults.
Millennials (aged 30-45) rank as the second healthiest generation, distinguished by drinking more water than any other age group. Gen X (aged 46-61) comes third, while Boomers (aged 62-80) occupy the bottom spot, exercising the least and drinking more alcohol than any other generation.
Boomers Excel in Diet but Struggle with Exercise
Despite overall lower health rankings, Boomers lead in dietary habits. They consume the fewest takeaways and ready meals and eat the most fruits and vegetables. Additionally, Boomers emerged as the least stressed generation. In contrast, Gen Z and Millennials are nearly three times as likely to report feeling overwhelmed, despite making healthier lifestyle choices overall.
Melissa Cohen, head of nutrition at Vitabiotics Wellman, commented: "It has often been thought that health is something of the youth, but the results show young men appear to be more aware of their wellbeing. But older generations are following suit – just perhaps in different ways."
Generational Differences in Health Priorities
The study found that 98% of men consider overall health important. However, priorities differ by generation: 32% of Boomers prioritise physical health, compared to 20% of Gen Z and 13% of Millennials. Younger generations focus more on mental health, with 23% of Gen Z and 19% of Millennials concentrating on mental wellbeing, while only 4% of Boomers do the same.
More than half of Boomer and Gen X men feel they are taking charge of their health more now than ever before. Seven in ten claim they have only increased focus on health as they aged. Among Boomers, 62% believe they take health more seriously now, while 53% attribute this to feeling a need to make more effort with age. Others cite increased interest, greater knowledge of body needs, or a health scare as motivating factors.
Top 10 Ways Men Are Improving Health
The research identified the top ten actions men take to manage their health: drink more water, go for more walks, eat more fruit and vegetables, exercise more, eat less junk food, improve diet generally, take vitamins or supplements, eat fewer takeaways, eat more protein, and improve sleep patterns.
Melissa Cohen 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."
