People of exact age believe they were at the peak of their health – and when they first noticed the signs of aging

THE average American notices the signs of aging by age 42, but 15 percent noticed they were getting older before they turned 35.

That’s according to a new survey of 2,000 Americans with representative samples of Gen Z, Millennials, Gen X and Baby Boomer respondents, who respondents believe were at their peak of health at age 34.

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Additionally, 46 percent of Gen Xers were unaware that they would not be able to pursue the same fitness or diet plans as they used to until the age of 40.

While respondents around the age of 39 realize they need to change their health and wellness routines, 21 percent admit they are currently in denial that their bodies are aging.

Another 30 percent of respondents admit they used to say no, but have now accepted it.

61 percent of these respondents defer necessary routine changes for three to six years, while 29 percent defer them for up to two years.

The survey, conducted by OnePoll on behalf of the evidence-based weight maintenance program Found, found that things like joint pain (39 percent), the occurrence of chronic conditions such as high blood pressure or diabetes (37 percent), a slower metabolism (35 percent), or where respondents carry their weight ( 30 percent) are some of the top indicators that respondents believe are signs of aging.

Because of these changes, respondents are making adjustments to their health and wellness routines.

Overall, 36 percent are making adjustments to the types of vitamins and supplements they take, with baby boomers (41 percent) being the most likely generation.

Two in five (40%) Baby Boomers are changing their diet, and 34% of Gen Xers are doing the same.

Even 30 percent of Gen Z do this despite their relatively young age.

Thirty-one percent of all respondents optimize what types of exercises they do as they get older.

And millennials may be ahead of aging more than others, with this generation more likely to do so than anyone else (36 percent), including Gen X (31 percent) and baby boomers (30 percent).

Millennials were also the generation most likely to practice meditation or mindfulness, especially when compared to baby boomers (30 percent vs. 21 percent).

And while about a quarter (24 percent) found these adjustments difficult, 46 percent found them easy.

That doesn’t mean respondents don’t seek advice, however, as 35 percent are more likely to rely on their GP and specialist (30 percent).

“While aging is inevitable, making healthy lifestyle changes are preventive measures that can help reduce age-related problems like weight gain and chronic diseases,” said Dr. Rekha Kumar, Chief Medical Officer at Found.

“In the last 100 years, we’ve almost doubled our life expectancy, so it’s critical to be proactive to extend both our health span and lifespan.

“Programs that include instructions that not only help people manage their weight but also improve general lifestyle habits, such as B. improved sleep, daily exercise or taking care of their mental health, can help people to maintain their health in old age.”

Although aging can be inevitable, respondents expressed mixed feelings about it.

Almost three in ten (29 percent) admit they are either stressed or worried about aging, while some are confident (25 percent) that it is inevitable.

In fact, 41 percent of respondents have experienced shame or embarrassment when speaking to their GP about their changing health and well-being, with 47 percent of millennials having experienced this.

Still, 31 percent say they trust their GP the most when it comes to maintaining a healthy weight as they age.

Nearly two-thirds (64 percent) agree they struggle with the fact that their body not only doesn’t look the way it used to, it also doesn’t feel the same.

Although 39 percent are happy with their current weight, one in five people aged between 20 and 30 were happiest.

“Research has found that the stories we tell ourselves about our weight and our motivation to make lifestyle changes dramatically affect how successful and satisfied we are with those changes,” said Laura Garcia, director of clinical design at Found .

“We’re so used to focusing on what we want to get rid of and not what we want to win.

“Positive lifestyle changes give us the opportunity to feel better about our bodies now and, most importantly, allow us to continue doing what matters to us long-term.

“When we’re motivated to prolong our health and prevent the negative effects our lifestyle is having on our bodies, we’re more likely to maintain those changes over the years — which is key to sustained weight loss and overall health.”