Health Consequences of Physical Inactivity in Women

Abstract

The health benefits of physical activity are numerous and include protection against chronic life style diseases like type 2 diabetes, obesity, hypertension, coronary artery disease, metabolic syndrome, prevention of certain cancers like cancer breast, endometrium, ovarian cancer and colorectal cancer. Physical activity improves mental and psychological health by reducing stress, anxiety and depression. It also improves bone health by preventing osteoporosis and reducing falls by increasing balance, co-ordination and flexibility in women. Physical activity is vital to the health of both women and men yet women are far less physically active compared to the male counterparts. Women face numerous barriers to being active and they include household caring and parenting demands, perception of safety and scarcity of time. The Governments should make strategies to increase the level of physical activity in females.