Behavior Change and Health News
Lack of Time and Energy Keep Women From Being Active
Work, taking care of kids or parents, volunteer duties, and housework leave many women worn out all year round. A new study in the Journal of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners finds that family commitments and feeling “just too lazy” are the top reasons women give for not being active. Better time management and social support for being active may help women to stay motivated and improve their health.
Researchers surveyed 120 women ages 35 to 60. The researchers found that 59% of the women reported family commitments as the main reason they weren’t active. Almost as many women stated that their laziness kept them from improving their health through physical activity. And compared to other health habits such as eating a balanced diet and not smoking, exercise was found to be the most challenging health habit for the women in the study, mainly due to lack of time, energy, or self-discipline.
Study author Dr. Joanne Thanavaro explains that getting family members to take more responsibility and learning to manage time help women find more time to be active. Since social support is more important for women than for men, walking or taking a class with a friend may help women to stick with their physical activity habit.
Time management and finding social support are two behavior change techniques taught in Active Living Every Day and Healthy Eating Every Day. Using science-based methods, these programs help people be more active and eat a balanced diet. To learn more, go to www.ActiveLiving.info, call 800-747-4457 ext 2319, or send an e-mail to DavidE@hkusa.com.
Sources
Reuters. Lack of time, energy keep women from exercise. MSN Health & Fitness. Accessed November 17, 2005. www.msnbc.msn.com.
Thanavaro, J.L., ND, APRN-BC. Barriers to coronary heart disease risk modification in women without prior history of coronary heart disease. Journal of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners. November 2005: Volume 17, Issue 11, p. 487.
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