From boomers to Gen Z, which generation is the healthiest?

How to identify:

The original wellness rebels, who once smoked on planes and had a couple of wines at lunch hour, but now walk 10k steps a day and keep a close eye on their cholesterol. Many are retired or close to it, with more time and disposable income to invest in their health.

Favourite dishes and food trends:

The meat-and-two-veg generation, who are lovers of real butter and custard-laden puddings. They came of age with the rise of convenience food, but many have since returned to scratch cooking. Olive oil is big, and so is a trip to M&S. While they might roll their eyes at avocado toast, they do take their supplements with pride.

Healthy habits:

Baby boomers have seen public health advice evolve at a rapid rate. They may not be regulars at the local Crossfit gym, but they’re pretty active – walking, gardening, swimming, yoga, golf. However, fewer take part in strength-training or structured fitness; alcohol consumption remains fairly high (they’re known as ‘the booziest generation’) and although many have quit smoking, the habit has left a long tail of chronic illness.

What the data says:

This generation is living longer than any before them, but are not always healthier. In research from UCL, baby boomers were one and a half times more likely than previous generations to have cancer, lung disease, heart problems and high cholesterol as they entered their 50s and 60s. According to the NHS, 71 per cent of baby boomers are overweight or obese, and this group sees some of the highest rates of cardiovascular disease and type-2 diabetes.

While some may say they’re far less likely than younger generations to experience severe anxiety or insomnia, it’s more realistic that they’re actually less likely to seek help for these issues.

How we live:

Jacqueline Hooton, women’s health coach and author of Strong: The Definitive Guide to Active Ageing, says: “Fitness has been mis-sold to a generation of women who were told exercise is about dropping a dress size. I’ve been trying to dismantle this way of thinking, as I really want more women to benefit from living healthier, longer lives.

"In my mid-20s and early 30s, my health focus was about being fit, healthy and well for conception, pregnancy and parenthood. I wish I’d known then what I know now about bone health, but it wasn’t something that was talked about back in the early 90s.

"The greatest indicator of our health in older age is our health in midlife. So, if you’re in your 50s and noticing some things are becoming harder, your body is feeling a little restricted or stiff and day-to-day activities can leave you breathless, it’s a sign to act. We see a loss in muscle strength, power and bone density with each decade, which means any issues we experience now will only get worse if we fail to act. Independence, having the freedom to travel, remaining in the family home or owning a dog, are just a few things that women often mention to me.

"Aside from the physical benefits of exercise, I hope all women can discover the psychological benefits. I’ve never met a woman who hasn’t commented on how good strength-training makes her feel; there’s a sense of feeling indomitable when a woman discovers her own physical strength.

"Most baby boomers like me hate being stereotyped; we are just as diverse as any other age group or generation. Healthy living to me means aiming for balance and enjoying freedom!”

Gen X (born 1965-1980)

How to identify:

Often overlooked, Gen X are the pragmatists: busy juggling work, children and ageing parents, they’re often too time-poor for wellness trends, but health-aware, nonetheless. They were the first to embrace gym memberships and protein bars, and the first to burn CDs for their workout mix.

Favourite dishes and food trends:

This generation saw the rise of stir-fries, ready meals and the 5:2 diet. Low-fat everything defined their 20s, and many still carry that calorie-counting mentality. Their kitchens are likely stocked with high-fibre cereals, low-calorie snacks and at least one Nutribullet that they forget they own. Air fryers? Yes. Fermented pickles? Less likely.

Healthy habits:

Gen X were the original cardio warriors. Think: step aerobics, spinning and Davina DVDs. They also embraced the 'everything in moderation' approach early on. Sleep may be elusive thanks to careers, teenagers and hormones, and stress levels are high. But, they’re also fiercely independent and likely to take a proactive approach to midlife health.

What the data says:

A study of Gen Xers found that around 34 per cent have a long-term physical or mental health condition affecting daily life, while a Gen Xperience report revealed 69 per cent of Gen X people rated their stress over the previous three months as 'moderate to extreme', citing finance, family and job pressures as the main sources.

Yet, they’re also the most likely generation to try to change: one study found that those who completed the Couch to 5k programme, then took up their local Parkrun events were in this age group. They’re also more likely to take a holistic view of their health than the generations before them.

How we live:

Liberty Mills, public health speaker, health coach and author of 360 Fertility, says: “I’m a grandma, mummy, entrepreneur, author. I'm also a partner and safe space for all my clients. It's a lot. So, where do I fit in? In my 20s and 30s, I put everyone else first. I was a model, so health to me was just about being slim or skinny and having good skin. But, it led me to burnout and an autoimmune disease, lupus. But now, at 51, it’s about strength. It’s about investing in myself so that when my youngest daughter, who's six, is the same age as my eldest, who's 28, she won’t have to worry about her mum. I want her to have the healthy freedom of not needing to look after an ageing parent.

"In my 50s, I started saying ‘no’ to people, and that’s the biggest freedom of all. I no longer drink alcohol just to make others feel comfortable. I don’t go to dinners I don’t want to attend. I don’t eat cake with gluten in it just because someone forgot I’m allergic, and I feel bad they made it for me – I used to do that and I’d make myself ill. Now, I simply say: 'No, thank you.'

"I’m finally putting myself first. What I wish I’d done sooner is work out what actually works for me. It’s not about a fad diet. It’s not about keto, juicing or 'less fat, more fibre.' It’s about what my body needs in that moment. I’m no longer striving for perfection. I’m setting up my days for balance, calm and enjoyment. What I wish I’d known sooner is this: it’s okay not to fit in. In fact, I actually don’t want to.”

Millennials (born 1981-1995)

How to identify:

Introducing the wellness maximalists – they track their sleep, spend far too much on kombucha and swear by their mindfulness apps. But, beneath the chia seed protein smoothie surface lies a generation grappling with burnout, anxiety and the impossible pursuit of 'balance'.

Favourite dishes and food trends:

Millennials invented brunch culture. From avo toast to grain bowls, they led the plant-based charge with oat milk, courgetti and jackfruit tacos. They’ve flirted with clean eating, paleo, Whole30 and back again. While some moved past diet culture, others are still trying to eat intuitively while tracking macros on MyFitnessPal.

Healthy habits:

Exercise is often structured – think: Peloton, HIIT and ClassPass. Therapy, wellness retreats, magnesium baths and digital detoxes are mainstream. Yet, poor sleep, too much screen time and stress are constant companions.

What the data says:

This is the generation that truly coined the term ‘burnout’, and a 2025 employee report by Aflac found that millennials are affected more by this issue than any other age group. On the flip side, another study showed nearly nine out of 10 millennials place importance on work-life balance, which contrasts with baby boomers’s work-centric attitude. They’re also the generation that spends the most on health and fitness.

How we live:

Michaella Mazzoni, Cambridge-based registered nutritionist, says: “As well as being a nutritionist, I’m a millennial with multiple health conditions: endometriosis, adenomyosis and PCOS. I also have a history of fibromyalgia, which I have since recovered from. What these conditions all have in common is that they take years to get diagnosed. Sadly, this is not a unique experience for millennial women.

"I got into nutrition as a last resort. I wanted to learn more about the reference ranges – was my NHS ‘normal’ iron level optimum or just acceptable? Was it really normal to have heavy and debilitating periods? In many cases, my millennial clients come to me in the same way. After years of being dismissed or handed generic advice, they’re now choosing to invest in their health in a different way: functional testing, holistic support and using food and supplements as real tools for change. It’s not about toxic diet culture anymore – that ‘clean eating’ pressure we absorbed in the 90s and 2000s – it’s about root causes, sustainability and feeling better for the long haul.

"Something I have also noticed with my generation is a shift in how we think about medicine. The pill, for example, used to be something you were either totally for or totally against. Now, more of us are taking a nuanced view. For many millennials I work with, and myself even, ‘holistic’ health used to mean no medications, just a perfect ‘clean’ diet with strict rules; now, it is a blend of medications, lifestyle, supplements, food and a more relaxed view of eating 80 per cent for the body and 20 per cent for the soul. We don’t have to be perfect, despite what magazines told us growing up!”

Gen Z (born 1996-2010)

How to identify:

Gen Z are the sober-curious, mental health aware, climate-conscious cohort. They don’t know life without the internet, value authenticity and favour plant-focused diets. But, they also juggle anxiety, financial instability and poor sleep in a post-lockdown world.

Favourite dishes and food trends:

Surely this is the generation driven by TikTok food trends? Butter boards, 'girl dinners', baked feta and cottage cheese everything. They snack more, cook less and shop with a low-waste, low-budget mindset. Oat milk sits alongside whole milk in their fridge, air fryers are gospel and global flavours are a must.

Healthy habits:

While they do drink, a Mintel report describes Gen Z as the sober-curious generation, seeing alcohol consumption as more of a treat than a regular habit. They’re also the most therapy-friendly generation, prioritising their mental health with meditation apps, journalling and screen detoxes. Alongside millennials, Gen Zers make up the biggest cohort of gym-goers.

What the data says:

Millions of Gen Zers worry about their body image, according to the Mental Health Foundation. Around 65 per cent of 12- to 26-year-olds report experiencing at least one mental health condition in the past two years, according to research from King’s College London. Despite their reputation for rest and recovery, they report some of the worst sleep quality across all age groups. In the workplace, Gen Zs miss an average of 50+ days a year due to mental health. On the upside, they’re drinking significantly less than their predecessors, with only 62 per cent of under-35s reportedly drinking alcohol, suggesting a meaningful cultural shift in how health is defined and prioritised.

How we live:

Beth Johnson, Harrogate-based nutrition coach and owner of boutique gym Lift Club, says: "I feel like as a Gen Z, health isn’t just about fitness, it’s everything. My Gen Z clients talk about sleep tracking, gut health, hormone balance, anxiety, screen time, even their relationship with food. They’ve grown up with access to so much information, which can be empowering, but also overwhelming. There’s pressure to be constantly ‘optimising’ what you eat, how you train, your morning routine. I see people who are burnt out trying to live perfectly. Sometimes, it’s actually making them feel worse.

"But, there’s also a lot to be proud of. I feel like we're the generation that talks openly about mental health; my friends and I are drinking less and we try to take rest seriously. I think Gen Z are trying to build a version of health that’s more sustainable, but we’re still figuring out what that looks like in real life. What I try to tell my clients is: stop chasing the perfect routine. The healthiest people I know eat proper meals, move regularly, sleep well and aren’t afraid to say no to things that drain them.”

So, who’s really living the healthiest?

It turns out, there’s no single winner. Each generation brings its own strengths and struggles to the table. Baby boomers are living longer, but navigating the legacy of outdated health messaging. Gen X are quietly doing the work, carving out time for change amidst life’s chaos. Millennials are redefining wellness and taking a more holistic approach, even as they battle burnout. And Gen Z? They’re the most health-aware cohort yet, but also the most anxious, with an avalanche of information to sift through.

What becomes clear is that health isn’t a finish line or a generational crown to be won. It’s a lifelong balancing act that's evolving with our bodies, minds and circumstances. The healthiest generation might not be the one with the most gym sessions or green juices, but the one that learns to listen to itself, adapt and keep showing up, one breathwork session, Parkrun or protein snack at a time.

Read more:

Healthy diet tips for ageing well
How diet can lower the risk of dementia
What to eat to help beat common health problems
Why stress makes you hungry
What is burnout?
10 ways to manage your appetite

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