Generation Y are exercising less and becoming overweight earlier than the Baby Boomers were at the same age, a new study by the University of Sydney has shown.
Associate Professor in Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics Margaret Allman-Farinelli, from the School of Molecular and Microbial Biosciences at the University of Sydney, has completed a cross-generational study examining the last four National Health Surveys from 1990 to 2005 to determine the effects of generation and age on the duration and kilojoules expended in leisure time physical activity over the period.
"The results indicate that younger Australians are living increasingly more sedentary lifestyles than their predecessors, with less time spent in physical exercise than people of retirement age," said.
The study, published in the British Journal of Nutrition, showed that Generation Y males are exercising far less than previous generations were at the same age, evidenced in the progressive drop in the amount of energy expended in leisure time over successive generations of men.
The results also revealed that women in their twenties are doing the least amount of exercise, spending only a little over fifteen minutes per day in leisure time physical activity. Health authorities recommend at least 30 minutes of physical activity on most days to maintain a healthy weight, with double that time needed to combat overweight and obesity.
Despite the decline in physical activity in younger generations, the study revealed a peak in the number of older Australians engaged in physical activities, with the majority of retirees reaching the recommended 30 minutes of exercise per day.
"These people are less time-poor and can actually concentrate on their health," Associate Professor Allman-Farinelli believes. "Many have come across a chronic illness at this stage in their lives and look to taking positive steps against them, whereas the young are 'invincible' and are more time-poor, especially when they are at the age with young children."