Gen Z Health Survey

Phil: So, Sally, this new report that has just come out, I find scary. When we look at Generation Z, it's a Forbes Health and one poll survey of over a thousand US adults was conducted November 18th through November 22nd. And top line is they found that 45% of respondents noted an improvement in mental health as one of their top New Year's resolutions compared to 39% who said, improve fitness, 37% who wanna lose weight, and 33% who cited improved diet. What's scary is, you know, when you bring it down, not to all adults, but 18 to 25 year olds, 49% of those cited, you know, improved mental health is their top resolution that compares to 33% of 18 to 25 year olds and 30% of 26 to 41 year olds. The World Health Organization reported back in March that in the first year of covid, global prevalence of anxiety and depression spiked by 25%. Do we have a problem? 

Sally: We do, Phil. And you know, the great thing I, I believe is that we are talking more about mental health, and that is a huge win. It is no longer stigmatized as much as it has been in the past. So it's a good thing that we're talking about it, and maybe that's why that those numbers have increased. You know, we also went through a pandemic, which con, which contributed to that, and we are looking at anxiety and depression increasing in children ages eight to 18 as well. In fact, there has been a special task force under the Biden administration to address screening for this. So, as far as being in the food world, you know, we are talking a lot more about foods that serve our mental health needs. But yes, I think I see this as, you know, going into the year, something that we all need to, to make a high priority. 

Phil: Absolutely. And, and when I look at, especially for school-aged kids, that in some cases weren't in school for a year, some cases, two years, they haven't had the social interaction with their friends in order to have fun to relax. So all that has been taken away from them. So I really think that this is a very serious issue and we all need to address it, whether we're parents, grandparents, people who who are very anxious. We just need to ratchet it down a little bit to all get on the same playing field.