Hypertension,
cardiovascular disease, obesity, type II diabetes, cancer, and depression are
typical health conditions associated with middle age—the result of genetics and
years of poor lifestyle choices finally catching up on those in their 50s and
60s.
But such diseases
are no longer exclusive to Boomers and Generation X according to top hospital
in the Philippines, Makati Medical
Center (MakatiMed). Of late, doctors have been diagnosing these diseases in
millennials, or those born between 1981 and 1996, making them in their late 20s
to early 40s as of this writing.
Per a 2022 report
from the Department of Health (DOH), 36 percent of Filipinos 20 years old and
above are obese, 20 percent are smokers, 50 to 53 percent are binge drinkers,
and 40 percent are physically inactive. Breast and colorectal cancer among
patients who are less than 45 years old is also on the rise, says the
Philippine Society of Oncologists.
Most alarming is
the mental health crisis plaguing not just millennials but Generation Z, whose
ages range from early teens to 20s. Global consultancy firm Deloitte revealed
in a study that 63 percent of millennials and 50 percent of Gen Zs are
experiencing burnout due to the demands of work. There’s also a spike in the
number of Filipino youths who have tried to end their life. According to a 2021
Young Adult Fertility and Sexuality Study initiated by the University of the
Philippines Population Institute and funded by the DOH, nearly 1.5 million
Filipino youth have attempted suicide in 2021. That’s more than double the
number of youths who have tried in 2013.
Confluence of factors. Juan Armando D.
Diaz, M.D.,
from the Section of Cardiology, attributes millennials’ midlife health woes to
a confluence of factors. “Work- and money-related stress can lead to high blood
pressure, which puts you at risk for stroke or heart attack. Those experiencing
chronic stress also tend to cope with bad habits like smoking, drinking, and
choosing processed foods over balanced meals.”
Millennial behavior
likewise contributes to the early onset of middle-age diseases. “Millennials
are very reliant on technology,” says Dr. Diaz. “More time staring at their
gadgets for work, entertainment, communication, and online gaming means less
time for sleep, physical exercise, exposure to sunlight and fresh air, and
other practices that boost health and well-being.”
Act early. Fortunately, you’re never too old—or
young—to regain control of your health. “Especially if you act early,” Dr. Diaz
points out. “For millennials, I like to remind them that they still have their
best years ahead of them. There are places to go, people to meet, goals to
conquer—and they need to be in good health to achieve them. Once they realize
that, they become more responsible and mindful of their actions.”
Interestingly, Dr.
Diaz’s health tips for millennials are the same for mid-lifers. His first
recommendation? “Secure your doctor’s approval first before beginning any
lifestyle changes to improve your health.”
It’s always good to
get some exercise. “Aim for at least 15-30 minutes of cardiovascular activity
three to five times a week. Walking is the easiest because it only requires a
comfortable pair of shoes,” says the MakatiMed doctor. “You can also get into sports,
dance, or putter around the house. Tech-savvy millennials can use a smart watch
or app to monitor your number of steps, calories burned, and miles covered—and
try to better your stats in the next workout.” Pressed for time? Follow an
instructor on YouTube when your schedule permits.
Dr. Diaz also recommends eating a balanced diet that includes fruits and
vegetables in every meal. “Choose lean protein like fish and chicken instead of
pork and beef. Cut down on processed foods and junk food. Eliminate alcohol, if
you can. And drink water. Investing in one of those stainless-steel water
bottles can encourage you to hydrate more often.”
Sleep is very
important! “Sleep promotes repair and recovery. It’s also associated with
weight loss, improved brain function, better mood, and a fresh appearance.” For
millennials, Dr. Diaz says getting 7-9 hours of shut eye is ideal. “Gadgets
tend to stimulate the mind. Read a book or listen to calming music instead.”
Meet up IRL. Sure,
you have thousands of Facebook friends and followers on Instagram but
cultivating relationships in person, and not always online, is still the way to
go for many reasons. “Seeing friends staves off loneliness, gives you a feeling
of belonging, lifts your spirits, and may even prevent dementia and Alzheimer’s
disease,” says Dr. Diaz. “Sometimes, just sharing a laugh or a sincere
conversation with people who love and care for you is the best medicine there
is.”
For more
information, please contact MakatiMed On-Call at +632.88888 999, email mmc@makatimed.net.ph, or visit www.makatimed.net.ph. Follow @IamMakatiMed on Facebook and Twitter.
No comments:
Post a Comment