Physical Activity and Women's Health
Ph ysical Activ ity and Women’s Health
Ch rist ine L. W ells
ARI ZONA STA TE UNI VERS ITY
A NOTE FRO M TH E ED ITOR S
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED AS SERIES 2, NUMBER 5, OF THE PCPFS RESEARCH DIGEST.
HI GHLI GHT
“W e h a ve fa iled —in p h ysic a l ed u ca t ion a n d m e d ici n e—t o cl a rif y fo r wom en t h e im p ort a n ce of h a bit u a l p h ysic a l a c t ivi t y, p h ysic a l fi t n es s, a n d m a in t e n a n c e of ‘n orm a l’ bo d y we igh t . We m u st m o u n t n e w ed u ca t ion a l ef fort s t o d e velo p cu lt u r a lly se n sit ive a n d et h n ic -sp e cifi c h e a lt h m e ssa g es a n d p r ogra m s.”
Many more women are active today compared to when the first studies of activity in America were conducted. However, as a group, girls and women are still less active than boys and men. Some of this difference in activity between males and females can be explained by the historical disparity in opportunities for females. Since 1972, when Title IX was implemented, more females have become involved in organized sport. We have yet to discover the effects of this increased participation on lifetime activity among females. Much of the literature concerning health benefits of physical activity is based on studies done primarily with men. Only recently have large-scale studies been initiated to investigate the effects of physical activity on women’s health and wellness. Chris Wells, the author of this paper, has been a pioneer in the study of physical activity for women. As you will see, much more research studying girls and women is necessary, but much has been accomplished in recent years. Diseases often thought to be “diseases of men” affect women as well as men. The evidence now suggests there are many health benefits for females who become regularly involved in physical activity. This article clearly shows that women, especially women of color, are more likely to be sedentary. Sedentary living increases risk of heart disease, various cancers,
Ch rist ine L. W ells
ARI ZONA STA TE UNI VERS ITY
A NOTE FRO M TH E ED ITOR S
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED AS SERIES 2, NUMBER 5, OF THE PCPFS RESEARCH DIGEST.
HI GHLI GHT
“W e h a ve fa iled —in p h ysic a l ed u ca t ion a n d m e d ici n e—t o cl a rif y fo r wom en t h e im p ort a n ce of h a bit u a l p h ysic a l a c t ivi t y, p h ysic a l fi t n es s, a n d m a in t e n a n c e of ‘n orm a l’ bo d y we igh t . We m u st m o u n t n e w ed u ca t ion a l ef fort s t o d e velo p cu lt u r a lly se n sit ive a n d et h n ic -sp e cifi c h e a lt h m e ssa g es a n d p r ogra m s.”
Many more women are active today compared to when the first studies of activity in America were conducted. However, as a group, girls and women are still less active than boys and men. Some of this difference in activity between males and females can be explained by the historical disparity in opportunities for females. Since 1972, when Title IX was implemented, more females have become involved in organized sport. We have yet to discover the effects of this increased participation on lifetime activity among females. Much of the literature concerning health benefits of physical activity is based on studies done primarily with men. Only recently have large-scale studies been initiated to investigate the effects of physical activity on women’s health and wellness. Chris Wells, the author of this paper, has been a pioneer in the study of physical activity for women. As you will see, much more research studying girls and women is necessary, but much has been accomplished in recent years. Diseases often thought to be “diseases of men” affect women as well as men. The evidence now suggests there are many health benefits for females who become regularly involved in physical activity. This article clearly shows that women, especially women of color, are more likely to be sedentary. Sedentary living increases risk of heart disease, various cancers,