: What factors are responsible for the uptake of physical activity?
There is overwhelming evidence supporting the many health benefits of physical activity (Amorim et al 2007, Rooney et al 2006, Fahrenwald and Walker 2004). Obesity is one of the serious attributes of lack of physical activity (Gore et al 2003). Men and women are equally likely to be obese; however women are more likely than men to be morbidly obese (Amorim et al 2007).
Women with young children would benefit more from physical activity (Amorim 2007). The physiological changes that occur during pregnancy often results in increased body weight and decreased activity levels post- partum. This increase in body weight and decreased activity contribute to a general” detraining effect” (South-Paul et al., 1992). Many women many find it difficult to lose that weight after delivery. There is evidence suggesting that retention of weight gained during pregnancy contributes to female overweight and there is a risk of long term obesity (Gore 2003; Linne et al 2003; Linne and Rossner 2003, Rooney 2006). In women, being overweight or obese substantially raises the risk of serious diet-related chronic disorders, including diabetes mellitus, heart disease and hypertension (Linne et al 2003; Gilberto et al 2004).Thus child bearing women would benefit from physical activity.
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Additionally after childbirth women tend to feel increased anxiety and depression (Olson et al 2004, Harris and Ellison 2004, Gunderson et al 2000, South-Paul et al 1992). Physical activity has been recommended as a preventive measure for new mothers to reduce their risk of postnatal stress and depression. This is mainly due to the positive effects of exercise on levels of depression, mood, and social support. Despite all these revelations about the benefits of physical activity, women especially those with dependant children, continue to lag behind in physical activity
Debilitating diseases such as breast cancer and osteoporosis are more prevalent in women than in men and there is evidence to show that physical activity reduces the risk of developing these diseases (Amorim 2007). Despite all this, cross sectional studies indicate that women are overall more sedentary than men starting from an early age and that women with children are more sedentary than those without children, yet the need for physical activity for women with young children is far greater than for those without or with older children due to gestational weight gain and the high risk of postnatal depression (Cody and Lee 1999, Burke et al 1999, Ostlin et al 2006).
Overall, in the UK, physical activity has increased among both men and women since 1997, with 40 per cent of men and 28 per cent of women meeting the recommended levels in 2006 (at least 30 minutes of at least moderate intensity activity at least 5 times a week).
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