HEALTH / Youth is now generation 0.0

Generation 0.0 means a healthier lifestyle with less alcohol and tobacco consumption, a more balanced diet and regular exercise.

The changing habits of young people are influenced by factors such as the influence of social networks, the collapse of full-time socialization, obsession with aesthetics and self-care.

Healthy lifestyles, the rise of social media, and an obsession with aesthetics have led today’s youth to place more emphasis on a healthy lifestyle that includes a balanced diet, exercise, and avoiding alcohol, tobacco, and more. drugs. Thus, the well-known generation 0.0 is born, which includes people born between 1996 and 2010, and which is characterized by an awareness of the importance of taking care of their physical and mental health.

According to the latest Health Behavior in School-aged Children (HBSC) survey, which analyzes the well-being of young people every four years in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO), it is clear that adolescents are increasingly aware of the risks associated with the consumption of harmful substances for their health and choose healthier habits that can lead to a healthier and more prosperous future. In the era of generation 0.0, when information is available to everyone, young people have access to an unprecedented amount of data and knowledge about the negative consequences of alcohol, tobacco and drug use. This increased awareness has led to significant changes in their behavior, as evidenced by a report from the Spanish Observatory on Drugs and Addictions (OEDA). Over the past five years, alcohol consumption among youth aged 14 to 18 has decreased by 10%, from 76.8% in 2016 to 66.7% in 2021. In addition, tobacco consumption also decreased from 34.7% to 26.5%. % over the same period, as well as hemp (from 26.4% to 22%).

Similarly, in addition to reducing their intake of harmful substances, young people are also taking more care of their diet and physical well-being. According to the ESTUDES survey, 79.5% of Spanish students aged 14 to 18 participate in some type of physical activity at least once a week. These data reflect positive changes in the attitudes and behaviors of young people who, with the availability of information, are making more informed and informed decisions about their health and well-being.

María Sanchez, eHealth manager at Cigna Healthcare in Spain, argues that “health empowerment is essential to enable people to make informed and responsible decisions about their physical, mental and emotional well-being. Promotes self-determination, disease prevention and active participation in health care. In addition, it promotes equity in access to health care and contributes to a healthier society as a whole. For this reason, it is inspiring to see more and more young people adopting healthy habits, cutting back on harmful substances, and becoming more interested in their diet and physical activity. As agents of change, we must continue to expand access to up-to-date information, promote a culture of healthy habits, and support young people on their journey to healthy and fulfilling lives as they grow up.”

On the occasion of World Youth Day, health experts from Cigna Healthcare highlight the aspects that define this generation and how they can develop them in a positive way to maintain a healthy lifestyle:

· Critical attitude to aesthetic models. The obsession with aesthetics and self-care can influence the body image of young people, that is, their perception of their own body and how others see it. A distorted or negative body image can lead to dissatisfaction, low self-esteem, anxiety, or depression. In addition, it can contribute to the development of disorders such as body dysmorphic disorder, which consists in an excessive and obsessive preoccupation with some real or imagined physical defect. Therefore, it is important that they remain critical of imposed aesthetic models that are not always realistic or healthy. And learn to value personal qualities, and not just the physical side, in order to find a balance between taking care of your health and enjoying life.

Practice mindful drinking. This is a movement that seeks to change the mental and emotional attitude towards alcohol in order to learn to drink more consciously and moderately. Its goal is to promote a healthier and more balanced relationship with alcohol by encouraging young people to make informed and informed decisions about when, how and how much to drink. Likewise, he seeks to cultivate full attention to the sensations, emotions, and effects of alcohol on the body and mind, allowing people to enjoy a more mindful attitude towards drinking alcohol, reduce excessive consumption, and avoid situations that are harmful to their health. , health and wellness.

Find a balance between the real and the fictional. Social media can be a useful tool for keeping in touch with remote people and accessing information and entertainment, but it should not replace direct human contact. It is possible to reconcile the use of social networks with real social relationships in a balanced and responsible way. Social relationships are good for physical and mental health, reducing stress, anxiety and depression, improving physical health, providing pleasure and promoting personal development. For this reason, it is important to find this stability between the virtual world and the real world in order to truly enjoy every moment.

Develop sportsmanship. In order to continue to promote physical activity among young people and include it in their lives in an attractive way and according to their preferences, it is important to consider exploring dynamic and motivating sports that allow them to express themselves and have fun. Today, some of the sports that motivate this generation the most are skateboarding, surfing, parkour or crossfit as they give them the opportunity to challenge their limits and fuel their rebellious and competitive spirit. By having fun, expressing themselves and discovering the exciting and meaningful potential of sport, young people lead healthier, more active lives that bring well-being and success.