Post by Jana on Sept 22, 2004 20:30:13 GMT -5
Lack of Vigorous Physical Activity May Put Women at Risk
By Jennifer Warner; WebMD Medical News
Oct. 23, 2003 -- Women's reluctance to work up a sweat at the gym may be putting them at risk for long-term health problems.
A new poll shows that women are much less likely to engage in vigorous exercise compared with men. The Gallup poll shows that nearly half of 18 to 49-year-old women and two-thirds of women over age 50 say they never engage in vigorous exercise that works up a sweat such as jogging.
Those findings are even more troubling in light of recent research that shows poor physical fitness is even more deadly for women than men. A study published in the Sept. 16 issue of Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association found that lack of exercise raises the risk of death even higher for women than men.
Men Exercise More Vigorously
The results of the poll were released this week and are based on telephone interviews conducted from 2000 to 2002 with more than 2,000 adults.
Researchers found that young and middle-aged women were nearly twice as likely to say they never engage in vigorous exercise than men (47% vs. 28%).
Among those who do exercise with gusto, there was little difference in how often they exercised, although men were more likely to report exercising three or more times a week.
When it comes to less vigorous exercise such as brisk walking, the poll found that the number of men and women in similar age groups who engage in these moderate activities were similar. About 14% of women and men less than 50 years old and 20% of those more than 50 said they never engaged in moderate physical activities.
According to the CDC, exercise does not have to be strenuous in order to produce health benefits, but officials recommend that people engage in at least moderate exercise for 30 minutes a day, most days of the week.
By Jennifer Warner; WebMD Medical News
Oct. 23, 2003 -- Women's reluctance to work up a sweat at the gym may be putting them at risk for long-term health problems.
A new poll shows that women are much less likely to engage in vigorous exercise compared with men. The Gallup poll shows that nearly half of 18 to 49-year-old women and two-thirds of women over age 50 say they never engage in vigorous exercise that works up a sweat such as jogging.
Those findings are even more troubling in light of recent research that shows poor physical fitness is even more deadly for women than men. A study published in the Sept. 16 issue of Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association found that lack of exercise raises the risk of death even higher for women than men.
Men Exercise More Vigorously
The results of the poll were released this week and are based on telephone interviews conducted from 2000 to 2002 with more than 2,000 adults.
Researchers found that young and middle-aged women were nearly twice as likely to say they never engage in vigorous exercise than men (47% vs. 28%).
Among those who do exercise with gusto, there was little difference in how often they exercised, although men were more likely to report exercising three or more times a week.
When it comes to less vigorous exercise such as brisk walking, the poll found that the number of men and women in similar age groups who engage in these moderate activities were similar. About 14% of women and men less than 50 years old and 20% of those more than 50 said they never engaged in moderate physical activities.
According to the CDC, exercise does not have to be strenuous in order to produce health benefits, but officials recommend that people engage in at least moderate exercise for 30 minutes a day, most days of the week.
