Generation O Hongkongers are 'overworked, overstressed and overwhelmed'

A new class of "overworked, overstressed and overwhelmed" people is emerging in Hong Kong, characterised by a slack attitude towards healthy living, a survey covering eight different regions across Asia shows.

Researchers coined the term "Generation O" to describe highly stressed Hongkongers who were also found to be the least positive in Asia about their physical and mental health, and the least motivated to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

"What we are seeing is the emergence of what we are calling Asia's Generation O - a demographic that is overworked, overstressed and generally overwhelmed," Sun Life Hong Kong chief executive Wim Hekstra said yesterday. "The malaise is especially evident in Hong Kong."

Respondents who admitted not having a healthy or active lifestyle cited reasons including a lack of time due to work, a lack of personal motivation and the distractions of television and the internet.