PHYSICAL-ACTIVITY AND WOMEN IN THE UNITED-STATES - AN OVERVIEW OF HEALTH BENEFITS, PREVALENCE, AND INTERVENTION OPPORTUNITIES

Despite decades of physical activity research and interventions conduc ted on men, very little is known about the patterns of physical activi ty among US women. Rates from several national surveys show much lower rates of physical activity for women than for men. Among women, rates may vary by socioeconomic status. Studies relating physical activity and experience with heart disease, cancel; osteoporosis, and mental he alth are discussed. Interventions in the workplace and the community m ay increase the level of physical activity among US women. a history o f not participating in exercise and lack of time for this activity app ear to be important constraints for many women. The Surgeon General's Report on physical activity sanctioned future research on specific gro ups, such as women. Applied research coupled with community and workpl ace policies that support women's efforts to be more physically active may decrease the rates of some chronic diseases in this population.