Promotion of Physical Activity for Women's Health

• Published in: Women's Health Psychology pp. 255 - 277
• Main Authors: Pekmezi, Dori, Linke, Sarah, Hartman, Sheri, Marcus, Bess H
• Format: Book Chapter
• Language: English
• Published: Hoboken, NJ, USA John Wiley & Sons, Inc 04.02.2013
• Subjects: mental health; physical activity; smoking cessation; women's health
• ISBN: 9780470890660; 0470890665
• DOI: 10.1002/9781394260454.ch11

Physical activity is obviously essential to women's health and needs to be incorporated throughout the lifespan. This chapter focuses primarily on the research evidence related to physical activity for chronic disease prevention and management, smoking cessation, and mental health in adult women. It briefly highlights the beneficial impact of physical activity upon smoking cessation in women. An active lifestyle is fundamental to women's health. Regardless of program format, cultural sensitivity is often an important consideration when promoting physical activity among minority women. Regular physical activity helps women achieve and maintain a healthy weight, as well as prevent and manage many of the chronic illnesses that are major causes of death and disability for women around the world. Furthermore, interactive components could help keep women engaged and involved in the physical activity program and thus be conducive to retention.