Menu
15/11/2007
Women 'Do Not Exercise Enough'
British women are not exercising enough, according to new research.
According to research published by the Women's Sport and Fitness Foundation (WSFF), more than 80% of women are not exercising enough to benefit their health.
The study found that women aged between 16-24 were half as active as men of that age and warned that if trends continue, there would be one and quarter million fewer women exercising by 2017.
Sue Tibballs, WSFF Chief Executive, said: "There has been almost no change in the level of women's physical activity in the UK for the past 20 years and the forecasts show that the situation is getting worse. We are facing a real crisis in women's sport and fitness which will result in increasing obesity levels, physical and mental health issues and crime and social problems."
The research found that the most significant barriers to women being active are concerns about body image and negative experiences of sport in schools.
The study found that 90% of women felt under pressure to be thin, while almost half of women aged between 25-34 said that they felt under greater pressure to be thin than healthy.
A quarter of women said that they hated the way they looked when they exercised or played sport, while nearly a quarter of women said that PE at school put them off playing sports.
Meanwhile 40% of girls as young as seven did not want to be seen as "sporty".
Ms Tibballs said: "The way that women are portrayed in fashion and the media makes them feel greater pressure to be thin rather than fit. Girls are growing up believing that it is more important to be attractive than active with many women inhibited from exercising because of low body confidence. Sport is still seen by some women as unfeminine, and girls' earliest experiences of sport are often off-putting."
The research suggested that the key to encouraging women to participate more in sport and exercise was to recognise that they approach both activities differently to men. The study found that twice as many men than women play competitive sports, while six out of 10 women prefer to exercise.
Cameron Walker, Director of Corporate Communication for Scottish Widows, who sponsored the study, said: "We hope that this report will be a significant step towards generating solutions to the challenge of raising women's participation levels in sport and fitness, improving the lives of women and girls across the UK."
(KMcA)
According to research published by the Women's Sport and Fitness Foundation (WSFF), more than 80% of women are not exercising enough to benefit their health.
The study found that women aged between 16-24 were half as active as men of that age and warned that if trends continue, there would be one and quarter million fewer women exercising by 2017.
Sue Tibballs, WSFF Chief Executive, said: "There has been almost no change in the level of women's physical activity in the UK for the past 20 years and the forecasts show that the situation is getting worse. We are facing a real crisis in women's sport and fitness which will result in increasing obesity levels, physical and mental health issues and crime and social problems."
The research found that the most significant barriers to women being active are concerns about body image and negative experiences of sport in schools.
The study found that 90% of women felt under pressure to be thin, while almost half of women aged between 25-34 said that they felt under greater pressure to be thin than healthy.
A quarter of women said that they hated the way they looked when they exercised or played sport, while nearly a quarter of women said that PE at school put them off playing sports.
Meanwhile 40% of girls as young as seven did not want to be seen as "sporty".
Ms Tibballs said: "The way that women are portrayed in fashion and the media makes them feel greater pressure to be thin rather than fit. Girls are growing up believing that it is more important to be attractive than active with many women inhibited from exercising because of low body confidence. Sport is still seen by some women as unfeminine, and girls' earliest experiences of sport are often off-putting."
The research suggested that the key to encouraging women to participate more in sport and exercise was to recognise that they approach both activities differently to men. The study found that twice as many men than women play competitive sports, while six out of 10 women prefer to exercise.
Cameron Walker, Director of Corporate Communication for Scottish Widows, who sponsored the study, said: "We hope that this report will be a significant step towards generating solutions to the challenge of raising women's participation levels in sport and fitness, improving the lives of women and girls across the UK."
(KMcA)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
17 February 2004
UK sees 20% increase in multiple births over 10 years
Mothers are having 20% more multiple births than they were a decade ago, according to figures released today by the Office for National Statistics (ONS). Statistics have revealed that in 2002, the multiple birth rate was 15 per 1,000 women giving birth, compared with 12.5 in 1992.
UK sees 20% increase in multiple births over 10 years
Mothers are having 20% more multiple births than they were a decade ago, according to figures released today by the Office for National Statistics (ONS). Statistics have revealed that in 2002, the multiple birth rate was 15 per 1,000 women giving birth, compared with 12.5 in 1992.
11 March 2004
Scheme launched to reduce population of women in custody
A three-year government programme has been unveiled today which has been designed to tackle women's offending and reduce the number of women in prison.
Scheme launched to reduce population of women in custody
A three-year government programme has been unveiled today which has been designed to tackle women's offending and reduce the number of women in prison.
19 August 2014
New Data Shows Women Hit By 'Mid-Life Pay Crisis'
Female managers over 40 years old are earning 35% less than men, according to new data by the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) and XpertHR. To earn the same as a male manager over a career, a woman would have to work the equivalent of over 14 years more.
New Data Shows Women Hit By 'Mid-Life Pay Crisis'
Female managers over 40 years old are earning 35% less than men, according to new data by the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) and XpertHR. To earn the same as a male manager over a career, a woman would have to work the equivalent of over 14 years more.
28 January 2014
Roache Claims To Have Never Met Victims
The trial of William Roache has heard that the Coronation Street actor does not remember ever meeting any of his alleged victims. 81-year-old Roache is accused of two counts of rape and four of indecent assault against five women aged 16 or under between 1965 and 1971. He denies all charges.
Roache Claims To Have Never Met Victims
The trial of William Roache has heard that the Coronation Street actor does not remember ever meeting any of his alleged victims. 81-year-old Roache is accused of two counts of rape and four of indecent assault against five women aged 16 or under between 1965 and 1971. He denies all charges.
08 February 2013
Women Clergy Attend First Bishops' Meetings
Women clergy are to attend Church of England bishops’ meetings for the first time. It has been reported that at least eight senior women clergy, such as deans and archdeacons, are to participate as non-voting members of the House of Bishops. The Church of England has made the move in response to the defeat of attempts to create women bishops.
Women Clergy Attend First Bishops' Meetings
Women clergy are to attend Church of England bishops’ meetings for the first time. It has been reported that at least eight senior women clergy, such as deans and archdeacons, are to participate as non-voting members of the House of Bishops. The Church of England has made the move in response to the defeat of attempts to create women bishops.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:Very windy with persistent and occasionally heavy rain at first, becoming drier with the wind easing towards midday. Mainly dry with bright spells increasing during the afternoon. Milder than of late. Maximum temperature 14 °C.Tonight:Cloudy with clear spells, mainly dry evening becoming windy with rain at times from late evening. Turning drier with clear spells towards morning. Milder than of late. Minimum temperature 2 °C.
