Is it possible that some baby boomers could outlive their children?

What do you think of a study that suggests baby boomers could live longer than their offspring?

A University of Michigan study shows that a generational shift in obesity rates is setting the younger generation up for shorter life and poorer health in comparison to their parents.

Researchers found that 20 percent of people born between 1966 and 1985 were obese in their 20s, an obesity level not reached by their parents until their 30s or by their grandparents until their 40s or 50s.

That means more Americans are getting heavier earlier in their lives and carrying the extra pounds for longer periods of time, which could mean that the impact for chronic disease and life expectancy may be worse than previously thought.

While the study is interesting, I’ve written about how baby boomer health is worse than the previous generation at the same age, how midlife suicide rates are rising, and how baby boomers have higher rates of alcoholism and substance abuse than other generations.

The best thing to do is take good care of yourself, eat a healthy diet, exercise, and stop drinking and smoking. Also, don’t participate in high-risk activities such as hang gliding.

In addition, you can encourage your adult children to have healthy habits so they’ll be around to keep you company and help you, if you need it, as you grow older.

Copyright 2010, Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist