title: Physical activity and exercise in women's health.
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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biobehavioral Nursing and Health Systems, Box 357266, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195-7266, USA. basiab@u.washington.edu
authors.forename: Basia
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Belza
authors.forename: Catherine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Warms
mesh_terms: D001294:Attitude to Health; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D003110:Colonic Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D005081:Exercise Therapy; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008960:Models, Psychological; D009043:Motor Activity; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D011322:Primary Prevention; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D017678:Sex Distribution; D012737:Sex Factors; D014930:Women / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology; D016387:Women's Health