A recent survey found that Gen Zers are investing in health and wellness more than ever before. That’s great news: it’s well-documented that the health choices we make before our 26th birthday have lifelong implications for our wellness. But what’s driving this interest in natural health among teens and young adults, and what can we do to support their healthy interaction with the world of wellness? Gen Zers are swiping right for health “Gen Zers’ growing interest is multifaceted,” says pediatric dietitian Lauren Mahesri, RDN, LD.
“They have unprecedented access to so much information about natural health, which is reaching teens and young adults as a new audience.” Social media is a big driver of this, adds dietitian Trista Best, MPH, RD, LD. The amount of health and wellness content on TikTok―whose core demographic is those aged 13 to 24―skyrocketed to 1.
5 billion users in 2023. Similarly, psychologists found that posts about general wellness and fitness were some of the most popular content categories on Instagram (about half of all Canadians use Instagram, and those under the age of 34 make up the largest user group). But as Mahesri said, it’s truly multifaceted.
Factors such as peer influence, societal pressures, and concerns about body image also contribute to this trend, says Best. Meanwhile, Mahesri points to social justice and environmental concerns, noting that Gen Zers may “feel a sense of responsibility, and natural health can be their smal.