Women too busy to exercise

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Jocalyn Clark BMJ

Only a quarter of UK women are exercising enough to reap useful health benefits. This "deeply concerning finding" emerged from a national poll conducted by the charity Cancer Research UK, which also found that women lack the time and motivation to achieve the targets for physical activity promoted by government.

Women are advised to undertake brisk activity for 30 minutes a day at least five times a week to reduce their risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and cancer. With childcare and work demands, many women do not have the time or energy, the poll says.

The charity advocates active living, which means incorporating exercise into daily activities—such as cycling instead of taking public transport, using the stairs instead of lifts, and getting off the bus one stop early to walk the remaining distance to work.

Cancer Research UK says that exercise also mitigates the negative side effects of cancer treatment, including fatigue, nausea, pain, and lowered immunity. The key to getting enough exercise, they say, is to find a fun activity. "If you hate running, don’t do it. Briskly walk, climb stairs, cycle, or swim," says Dr Lesley Walker, head of cancer statistics at the charity.

The release of the poll results coincides with the announcement of the details of this year’s Race for Life, an annual charity event that raises money for women’s cancer research. The 5 km run—which was first held 10 years ago, with 680 women walking around Battersea Park—now attracts over 30 000 participants a year and has raised £35m ($56m; €51m) since 1994.

Olympic runner Sally Gunnell, this year’s Race for Life ambassador, says she understands the demands of being a working mother. Her recommendations to get the needed exercise include taking the kids to the park and kicking around the ball or cycling together as a family.

The poll found that 80% of women in Britain exercised less than three times a week for 30 minutes or more and that 25% never took any exercise at all.

Nearly 40% of women admitted that lack of time stopped them from exercising more often. Nearly a fifth said they did not exercise as much as they thought they should because of lack of motivation.

The poll interviewed over 1100 women aged 15 and older across Great Britain in February 2003.

Rapid responses:

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The primary Reason for doing Exercise: Biophysical-Semeiotic Constitutions.: Sergio Stagnaro; bmj.com, 27 Feb 2003 [Full text]
Polemics: Ned Hoke; bmj.com, 2 Mar 2003 [Full text]
Uncounted Exercise: Aviva Sheb'a; bmj.com, 2 Mar 2003 [Full text]
a woman's work is never done: Nancy K O'Connor; bmj.com, 5 Mar 2003 [Full text]