title: Using gender-based analyses to understand physical inactivity among women in Yellowstone County, Montana.
abstract: Physical inactivity contributes to many health problems. Gender, the socially constructed roles and activities deemed appropriate for men and women, is an important factor in women's physical inactivity. To better understand how gender influences participation in leisure-time physical activity, a gender analysis was conducted using sex-disaggregated data from a county-wide health assessment phone survey and a qualitative analysis of focus group transcripts. From this gender analysis, several gender-based constraints emerged, including women's roles as caregivers, which left little time or energy for physical activity, women's leisure time activities and hobbies, which were less active than men's hobbies, and expectations for women's appearance that made them uncomfortable sweating in front of strangers. Gender-based opportunities included women's enjoyment of activity as a social connection, less rigid gender roles for younger women, and a sense of responsibility to set a good example for their families. The gender analysis was used to gain a deeper understanding of gender-based constraints and opportunities related to physical activity. This understanding is being used in the next step of our research to develop a gender-specific intervention to promote physical activity in women that addresses the underlying causes of physical inactivity through accommodation or transformation of those gender norms.
authors.affiliation: Montana State University-Billings, College of Allied Health Professions, 1500 University Drive, Billings, MT 59101, United States. Electronic address: dduin@msubillings.edu.
authors.forename: Diane K
authors.initials: DK
authors.lastname: Duin
authors.affiliation: University of Montana, School of Public and Community Health Sciences, 32 Campus Drive, Missoula, MT 59812, United States. Electronic address: amanda.golbeck@umontana.edu.
authors.forename: Amanda L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Golbeck
authors.affiliation: St. Vincent Healthcare, 1233 N 30th Street, Billings, MT 59101, United States. Electronic address: april.keippel@svh-mt.org.
authors.forename: April Ennis
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Keippel
authors.affiliation: Billings Clinic, Center for Clinical Translational Research, 2800 10th Avenue N, PO Box 37000, Billings, MT 59107, United States. Electronic address: eciemins@billingsclinic.org.
authors.forename: Elizabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ciemins
authors.affiliation: Flathead City-County Health Department, 1035 1st Avenue West, Kalispell, MT 59901, United States. Electronic address: hhanson@flathead.mt.gov.
authors.forename: Hillary
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hanson
authors.affiliation: St. Vincent Healthcare, 1233 N 30th Street, Billings, MT 59101, United States. Electronic address: tracy.neary@svh-mt.org.
authors.forename: Tracy
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Neary
authors.affiliation: Riverstone Health, Community Health Improvement Coordinator, 123 S 27th Street, Billings, MT 59101, United States. Electronic address: fheather@healthybydesignyellowstone.org.
authors.forename: Heather
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Fink
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology; D004777:Environment; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D007899:Leisure Activities; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health; D008875:Middle Aged; D009009:Montana; D012449:Safety; D057185:Sedentary Behavior; D012737:Sex Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D016387:Women's Health; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Gender analysis; Gender and health promotion; Gender framework; Physical inactivity