Younger generations fall ill more than Older generations

Younger generations get sick more often than older generations, new research has shown.

 Brits under the age of 30 are more likely to suffer from colds and flu, allergies and intolerances than people older than them – in particular people aged 55 and over.

 They were also twice as likely to take time off if they had a cold than the older generations with more than half of working Brits aged 55+ not taking a sick day in the last year compared to less than a third of under 30s.

 It also emerged that younger people were far more likely to take time off because of stress, tiredness and feeling run-down than those 55+ who said it wouldn’t be a reason to call in sick.

 Nearly one in five people aged 18-29 admitted to calling in sick because they considered themselves ‘too hungover’ to go to work and this age group was also more likely to call in sick for ailments such as constipation and even use car sickness as an excuse.

 In comparison 85 per cent of over 55s said they wouldn’t call in sick unless they were bedridden.

 The survey of 3,000 Brits was commissioned by Multibionta, a probiotic multivitamin.

 Peter Morton, Marketing Manager from Multibionta said: ‘’Today’s fast paced, work hard play hard lifestyle appears to be taking its toll on the younger generation.

‘’This generation of young adults must recognise the importance of looking after themselves and ensuring they take steps to ensure they lead a healthy and balanced lifestyle.

 ‘’A poor immune system caused by smoking, drinking and a lack of nutritionally beneficial food, lends itself to people being more susceptible to coughs and colds which in turn can lead to sick days.

 ‘’A probiotic multivitamin can support the body’s immune and digestive systems by providing the vitamins, minerals and probiotics the body needs for optimal health and wellbeing.’’

 Both men and women under the age of 30 were more likely to eat junk food on a regular basis including ready meals and takeaways and they were half as likely to get their five fruit and vegetables a day as people over 55.

 Young people also drink more, work longer hours, sleep less and eat a more unhealthy diet than people twice their age and were more likely to smoke and to suffer from stress.

 More older respondents than the younger generation consider themselves to be healthier than their parents – only 37 per cent of 18-29 year olds think they are healthier than their parents, compared to 59% of participants over 55.

 The key reasons blamed for making people under 30 stressed were work pressures money worries, and relationship issues and people said that they often get sick as a result of the stress they are under.

 In comparison less than a quarter of over 55s said that work pressure made them feel unwell.

 Respondents said they knew they were stressed when they felt irritable, suffered from headaches, tiredness or have a stomach upset.

 Professor Glenn Gibson, expert in probiotics from University of Reading said: ‘’We all have times when we are feeling stressed be it with work or family life so it is important to consider the impact that this will be having on your wellbeing.

 ‘’Taking a good probiotic multivitamin supplement will not only provide you with the nutrients your body needs, but together with the probiotics they will help to offset the effects of stress, supporting your immune and digestive system.’’