Physical activity and exercise in women's health

Nurs Clin North Am. 2004 Mar;39(1):181-93, viii. doi: 10.1016/j.cnur.2003.11.011.

Abstract

Regular physical activity provides health benefits, including the reduction in risks of coronary heart disease, hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus, obesity, colon cancer, and premature mortality. Despite this information, most women are physically inactive. Research findings shed light on the gender differences in physiological responses to physical activity. Patterns and predictors of physical activity vary significantly by gender. Further study is needed of the benefits, barriers, and personally meaningful outcomes of physical activity for women, specifically including the frequently unspoken correlates of urinary incontinence, depression and mood disorders, and obesity.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Attitude to Health
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / epidemiology
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / prevention & control
  • Colonic Neoplasms / epidemiology
  • Colonic Neoplasms / prevention & control
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / epidemiology
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / prevention & control
  • Exercise Therapy*
  • Female
  • Health Behavior
  • Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
  • Humans
  • Life Style
  • Models, Psychological
  • Motor Activity*
  • Obesity / epidemiology
  • Obesity / prevention & control
  • Patient Education as Topic
  • Primary Prevention
  • Sex Characteristics
  • Sex Distribution
  • Sex Factors
  • Women / education
  • Women / psychology
  • Women's Health*