In Terms of Health we Should Celebrate 25th Birthdays not 21st Birthdays!

As my son navigates the 21st year of his birthday, I’ve found myself pondering whether we might be lauding the wrong age. When it comes to youthful health, the pivotal age isn’t 21; it’s 25.

At 25, one truly comes of age in terms of health. This marks the completion of teenage brain development – the moment when the emotional brain centre and the prefrontal cortex harmonise. Additionally, it signifies the culmination of bone development, particularly the formation of the matrix in our bone structure. To ensure optimal bone structure by age 25, an intake of around 1300 mg of calcium per day from calcium-rich foods is crucial during the teenage years. Beyond this age, opportunities to enhance bone strength diminish, leaving us to maintain what we have through exercise, diet, and vitamin D.

In the realm of nutrition, age 25 is when our relationship with food and the habits cultivated during our teenage years solidify and become more resistant to change. Our comfort foods become ingrained from childhood, underscoring the importance of investing time with teenage clients, imparting knowledge on healthy eating habits, and encouraging them to embrace and practise their weekly nutrition plans until it becomes second nature.

Moreover, age 25 marks a decrease in risk-taking behaviour. Car rentals are only permitted after the age of 25, suggesting that rental companies recognize a shift in youth risk profiles at this age. Additionally, youth are no longer covered by their parents’ private health insurance at 25. It’s a pivotal age where various transitions occur.

In light of these considerations, I suggest we shift our focus from the 21st birthday celebrations and instead celebrate the attainment of true adult health at age 25.