Facts and figures give clue to Gen X by Jennifer Jochim, Outpost Contributor Related Articles: Defining a generation Myths and realities   Here are some facts you may want to know about Generation X Generation X makes up about 20 percent of the U.S. population. The 46 million members of Generation X represent $125 billion in spending power. Generation X has the following ethnic makeup American Indian 1% Asian 4% Hispanic 12% Black 13% White 70% From The Arizona Republic, Phoenix, Ariz. March 19, 1997   How do the generations compare? 18 - 34 yr olds 35 - 53 yr olds 55 and older smoke more than a half a pack of cigarettes a day 17% 21% 14% have a chronic disease or condition requiring regular care 8% 20% 49% use vitamins or supplements or try to eat mostly organic foods 42% 51% 60% almost always read labels to find out about content of food 59% 63% 64% have a stressful job or frequently feel a great deal of stress 47% 57% 20% restrict the amount of red meat they eat 36% 49% 51% have checked their blood pressure or cholesterol in the past year 71% 78% 94% could easily run or jog a mile 70% 46% 22% have a family doctor 78% 78% 91% drink three or more cups of coffee a day 15% 32% 30% regularly do yoga meditation or other stress reducing exercises 24% 25% 20% drink an alcoholic beverage almost every day 9% 11% 14% From the Wall Street Journal, June 28, 1996   copyright 6/1/97 Nevada Outpost http://www.jour.unr.edu/outpost   Related sites: Arizona Republic Wall Street Journal