Younger people are twice as likely to miss work through illness as their older colleagues, according to a new survey.

Under-30s are more likely to stay at home while suffering from colds and flu, allergies and intolerances than over-55s, figures showed.

Younger people were also more likely to take time off work due to stress, tiredness and feeling run down, which the older contingent said would not be a reason to call in sick.

Almost one in five people aged 18 to 29 admitted they had missed work because they were "too hung-over", but 85 per cent of over-55s said they would only miss work if they were bedridden.

The higher rates of illness in younger people could be explained by the impact of unhealthy lifestyles, the survey of 3,000 people suggested.

Men and women aged 30 and under were more likely to eat junk food like ready meals and takeaways than older people, and were half as likely to eat the five daily portions of fruit and vegetables that experts recommend.

Older people also showed a more positive outlook towards their wellbeing, with 59 per cent believing they are healthier than their parents compared with just 37 per cent of the younger group.

A number of under-30s reported that they often fall ill as a result of stress, with work-related pressures, money issues and relationship problems among the most common causes.

In contrast, fewer than a quarter of over-55s who replied to the survey said they often felt unwell due to stress at work.

High levels of stress could cause symptoms including irritability, headaches, tiredness and upset stomachs, respondents said.

Peter Morton, the marketing manager of multivitamin manufacturer Multibionta, which commissioned the survey, said: “Today’s fast paced, work-hard play-hard lifestyle appears to be taking its toll on the younger generation.

“A poor immune system caused by smoking, drinking and a lack of nutritionally beneficial food, lends itself to people being more susceptible to coughs and colds which in turn can lead to sick days.”

(Read by Christine Mallari. Christine Mallari is a journalist at the China Daily Website.)