The generation in poorer health in their 50s than baby boomers at same age

Research has shown that Generation X is more likely to be living with obesity and diabetes than baby boomers during their early 50s, despite the group valuing health over wealth.

26 per cent of Gen X – people born in 1970 – rated their health in general as ‘poor’ or ‘fair’ by the time they reached their mid-50s, while a fifth reported symptoms of psychological distress.

The data analysis of 8,000 people born in England, Scotland and Wales during a single week that year – for the 1970 British cohort study – is said to suggest that some in this group “may be struggling with the aspect of life most important to them (health)”.

Conducted by the UCL Centre for Longitudinal Studies, the research evaluated participants’ reports on their physical and mental health during 2021-2024, when they were in their early 50s.

When giving scores out of 10, those surveyed rated health as most important to them at 9.3. This was for both men and women across household income groups.

Next were friendships (8.9) and marriage or being in a partnership (8.7), followed by independence (8.6), having a fulfilling job (7.9), home ownership (7.8), children (7.5) and having money (6.1).

But researchers found Gen X reported poorer health compared with the generation before – a cohort of so-called baby boomers, who were born in 1958 and were 50 in 2008.

While half of baby boomers reported ‘excellent’ or ‘very good’ health in general, only about four in 10 (41 per cent) of Gen X did.

Meanwhile, almost a third of Gen X reported living with obesity (32 per cent) compared with just over a quarter (26 per cent) of baby boomers, and diabetes was reported by almost one in 10 (9 per cent) in the Gen X group compared with just 6 per cent of the older cohort.

Among the Gen X group, there was a divide in the sexes when it came to mental health, with women more likely (26 per cent) to report symptoms of psychological distress than men (15 per cent), according to the research.

A greater proportion of women born in 1970 had contacted a doctor about their mental health in midlife than women born in 1958 – 42 per cent compared with 32 per cent.

People who were financially better-off were more likely to say they were in excellent or very good health (59 per cent) compared to the least well-off (24 per cent), and those in the lowest income households were four times more likely to report mental health difficulties (37 per cent) than those in the most well-off (9 per cent).

The research, which has not yet been peer-reviewed, shows the need for “accessible, practical advice” for people in midlife to ensure they have a good chance at better health, co-author Dr Vanessa Moulton said.

Dr Moulton, from UCL Centre for Longitudinal Studies, said: “Our study reveals deep inequalities among Gen X, with those from the lowest-income households at greater risk of both physical and mental health difficulties. The findings also show that more members of Gen X are in worse health in their early 50s than their baby boomer peers when at a similar age.

“Given the critical importance of midlife health and the rising demand for mental health support, this new evidence highlights the need for physical and mental health resources to reach those who need them most. Providing accessible, practical advice can help individuals improve their health in midlife, allowing them to age better, remain active and lead fulfilling lives.”

Fellow co-author, Professor George Ploubidis, said: “These new insights reveal what matters most to Gen X as they reach their early 50s.

“While they value their health, a large proportion report physical and mental health difficulties, suggesting that some may be struggling with the aspect of life most important to them.”

Jennie Leggat, policy analyst for health and inequalities at the Health Foundation, said: “This research highlights how much the British public values health, but also the stark inequalities in people’s ability to enjoy and maintain good health.

“Our analysis shows deep inequalities in healthy life expectancy – the number of years a person can expect to live in good health – with women in the most-deprived areas of England expected to spend around 20 fewer years in good health than women in the least-deprived areas.

“Rebuilding the UK’s health requires a new approach, putting health alongside economic growth at the heart of government policy. This requires cross-government action on the wider factors that shape people’s health, alongside a new strategy to tackle health inequalities.'”