Most of the pensioners I know are healthier than my own age group

[OuterSpaced]

I married DH in my early thirties, he is 15 yrs older, so through him, I am familiar with quite a few older people, his family, etc. I also have my own peer group to compare. It isn't 'science', but it does intrigue me!

I am now 50, so he is retired, just, and has quite a few friends and relatives who are older than him to some extent. In this circle, counting my own 50+ friends, I have definitely noticed a difference.

Many in my own age cohort are suffering various illnesses, from auto immune, diabetes, allergies, etc. My DH's cohort is seemingly much healthier. And when I say that, I mean hiking up mountains, not using cars, zipping about to folk festivals at 70, hanging out in coffee shops or going on holiday.

Not all are fully retired, and a good few still work or volunteer, so they're not sat at home all day.

In my own age group there are a few who work hard, some who work from home, and a few who don't work. My own age group seem to suffer far more issues generally, and it got me wondering (we are generation x).

I did notice that my DH's group had more money, even in retirement, although to be honest, the ones who zip about more and are fitter are just on the basic pension without savings. So I don't know what to conclude.

Just wondered if anyone else had noticed a discrepancy, or if this is just an isolated case. Could be! I did notice that the older ones consume less processed foods, but this might be a very limited viewpoint.

I'm the youngest in my Nordic Walking group at 72.

@Gamahaga

I'm 71 and was working with computers 25 years ago.

What you describe is incredibly unusual. The Norm is that your body deteriorates as it ages. My parents are 70 and in fine physical health but it’s laughable to say they’re healthier than the average 50 year old.

I had the privilege, some twenty years ago, of being shown round an elite armed forces training establishment. The officer in charge of training young men, recent recruits who should have been at their peak of physical fitness, said an increasing number were showing signs of low bone density and having to be delayed in their training. He said, even then, sedentary lifestyles (being driven everywhere, rather than screentime which must have exacerbated the issue now)) were the main driver. These young men will now be pushing forty so I wonder how their future health will pan out.

Compared to the generation before them who were birthed by people malnourished from rationing? Seems weird that they thought they’d seen stronger men in the past

I don't think rationing led to malnourishment! But the training establishment measures everything so have the figures going back several generations at least, and young men are struggling, in an increasing number, to make the grade in the standard number of weeks. I wonder if osteoporosis will increase in men.

It really did!

I am 60.

I have chronic arthritis, and Hashimotos/hypothyroidism.

I hike and sea swim as often as I can (at least weekly) for those very reasons. I’m already two hip replacements in, and I’m pretty sure my left knee is next… but, I take responsibility for my own health. If I’m overweight, it puts extra pressure on my joints. Lots of foods are inflammatory for me, so I eat carefully, and avoid processed foods as much as possible.

I relied too heavily on Drs in my 40s, when parenting was really full on. Now I’m older, my good health is down to me.

We are late 60s and in excellent health. No medication or issues.
Can walk 8-10 miles easily, spin classes 3 times a week, weights and pilates.

One of my friends was super fit, she also ate very healthily, she died at 54 from cancer.

You can give yourself a better chance but a lot is genetics. I look younger than I am thanks to my Father but my heart is a bit shit thanks to my Mother. I had a pretty healthy lifestyle. She had survived 2 heart attacks by my age, I have not had one yet, fingers crossed. She had 4 in total.

I did actually hike up Irelands highest mountain a couple, of weeks ago, took a while. Three years ago I would have been up it like a rat up a pipe.

I'm gen X and I'm the only one in my circle who (touch wood!) doesn't have a health condition. I do see lots of very active people in the generation above, but I don't know if the snapshot I see reflects their overall health or whether they have conditions I don't know about. I only know about my peers because I know them. I wouldn't tell from looking they were struggling or in pain or exhausted.