GENDER AND HEALTH PROMOTING BEHAVIOR:The Classic Alameda County Study

<< GENDER AND HEALTH PROMOTING BEHAVIORS:Fitness and Exercise

GENDER AND HEART DISEASE:Angina Pectoris, The Risk factors in CHD >>

Gender Issues In Psychology (PSY - 512)

Lesson 35

GENDER AND HEALTH PROMOTING BEHAVIOR

The Health Effects of Exercise

· Besides general physical fitness exercise has the following benefits:

· Regular exercise gives a feeling of well-being.

· The endorphin released in aerobic exercise gives a feeling of elation.

· Longer duration exercise helps in weight reduction.

· It helps in cholesterol control and reduction.

· Regular exercise, at least thrice weekly, adds to cardio-respiratory functioning and strength.

· Exercise improves physical appearance, and adds to self esteem of a person.

· Regular exercise has been found to be effective in improved immune functioning. Exercise or physical

activities have been found to be effective in females' reproductive health problems and menopausal

symptoms.

· Aerobic exercise helps alleviate and control depression and sleep disorders.

· Regular physical activity has been consistently found to be beneficial in cardiovascular conditions; both

in not occurring in first place, as well as in management.

The Classic Alameda County Study

In this large scale study the researchers (Belloc, and Breslow, 1972) identified a set of health-related behaviors,

or habits that could have a relationship with health. They took a sample of 2000 people from California and

followed their mortality rates. Some indulged into the identified health habits and some did not. Five habits

were found to have a significant relationship with lower mortality rates i.e.,

Sufficient sleep

ii.

Moderate drinking

iii.

No smoking

iv.

Regular exercise

Weight control

Remember!!!

Exercise relaxes, and does not tire

Gender Differences in Exercise and Healthy Habits

Research supports the fact, that other things being equal, females have a longer life span than men. But

research has also revealed that more males than females indulge into physical activity.

In one nationwide American study, 8-16 years olds were studied between 1988 and 1994 (Anderson et. al.,

1998). They reported on vigorous play or exercise that led to working up a sweat or breathing hard. 80% of the

subjects said that they did so at least thrice weekly outside of physical education classes. Those who did not

meet the mark included 26% of girls and 15% of boys.

Another national survey conducted in the U.S revealed that although females indulge into most healthy

behaviors more than men, they were lower than men in physical activity. The percentage of females was higher

in wearing seat belts and trying to lose weight. They were lower in percentage in unhealthy behaviors like heavy

drinking and smoking, drinking and driving, currently smoking, and being over weight. However exercising

regularly and being very physically active, were two categories on which females were less in percentage than

males (Health United States 1990, 1991, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services).

Boys get more exercise than girls from an early age (Sallis et. al., 1993). In middle age and in later years, the

likelihood of women exercising is even less. In fact they are unlikely to exercise. One possible reason for this is

that there is little room for exercise in their lives. Besides, the absence of attitudes favoring exercise for middle

aged women may be another cause of this trend (C. Lee, 1993; S. Willcox, and Storandt, 1996).

Gender Issues In Psychology (PSY - 512)

Factors affecting Women's Fitness Activity and Exercise

Fatigue and Overwork

In our society most women are house wives or formally non-working women. Those who work formally are

expected to look after the house hold in the same way as a house wife. There is generally no trend of sharing

house work. Many women therefore generally report fatigue and do not feel like exercising regularly. Also,

taking out a slot from their daily time table exclusively for exercise, which is a purely personal activity, is usually

found to be difficult. Usually the females who exercise on a regular basis are the ones who are not working full

time in the office as well as at home.

ii.

Societal attitudes and Stereotypes

Exercise is considered to be a men's thing and people do not look positively at women working out. Also other

people, as well as women themselves, feel that house work is enough exercise. They are not aware of the fact

that house work may be tiring but it does not give enough exertion to the body. Many people, including

women, believe that once married and becoming a mother; women do not have to look after themselves.

iii.

Lack of Exercising Facilities

Due to lack of parks, playgrounds, or gyms in neighborhood, most women keep postponing exercise even

when they are keen.

Uptake of Medical Facilities

All states, all over the world, are interested in promoting health and preventing disease. The basic goal is to

reduce the health care cost. Health care costs have been rapidly escalating for the past many decades.

With more advanced medical technology, and facilities for early diagnosis and screening, more and more

people come to hospitals for treatment. Most of the hospital beds are occupied most of the time. In developing

and under developed countries, the patients out number the hospital beds. Health care is a major burden on the

national economy.

This becomes even more important because most of the complaints that most patients are admitted with, are

preventable. Therefore it is in the interest of national economy that diseases be prevented and the health status

of citizens improved, in order to cut down the health care costs.

When does uptake of medical facility become important?

In many situations, the health authorities want people to utilize health services. In many cases, especially

involving women's health, even full fledged campaigns are designed to encourage women to contact the

authorities and benefit from the available facilities. This becomes more important when the health authorities

are offering screening services for diagnosing serious conditions like breast cancer, cervical cancer, HIV/AIDS,

or Hepatitis.

The utilization of medical services is an area of concern for health professionals.

Health psychologists have been exploring the poor utilization of various health services where the uptake

considered vital for the health status of the society at large.

A number of preventable health conditions can be controlled, managed and eradicated if available screening

services are used by people.

Research shows that women are more likely than men to go for medical consultation, other than that required

for pregnancy and child birth.

Women are more sensitive to bodily changes, and symptoms of illness.

Although no clear cut reason for this gender difference is known, it is believed that women are more focused

upon and aware of their physical states. Because of this attitude they are more likely than men to notice any

physical symptoms (Pennebaker, 1982).

Another explanation is that in case of women having children, they are trained in, and are more likely to notice

any changes in the health and physical state of their children.

As a result they develop sensitivity to physical symptoms.

Some societal attitudes also account for this.

Gender Issues In Psychology (PSY - 512)

Men usually do not admit being unwell or weak, whereas women do not hesitate in admitting that they are in

need have help.

Research evidence also suggests that although women have a higher longevity and men have higher mortality

rate females tend to have a higher rate of acute illnesses like infectious and parasitic diseases, and digestive and

respiratory conditions (National Centre for Health Statistics, 1996).

The rate of acute illnesses is very low in males, and only higher in case of injuries.

However, men are bedridden much less than women for recovery from injury.

Women's rate of acute conditions, other than pregnancy is eleven times higher than men.

This is probably one of the reasons why more women than men visit doctors.

Also it is seen that more women than men read about health matters, illness symptoms, and possible

treatments.

Behaviors linked with the Diagnosis of Cancer

Some cancers, if diagnosed at an early stage can be treated with a prognosis up to 99 %.

Breast cancer is one such cancer that can be fully cured if identified at the very early stage.

Two behaviors can help in early identification:

a. Breast Self Examination (BSE)

b. Mammography

BSE if performed regularly, can help identify a lump or growth very early.

90% of all diagnosed breast cancer is located by BSE.

It is a regular examination of breasts by females themselves done every mouth.

However many women do not practice this regularly, or at all.

The primary reasons being lack of awareness of either the procedure it self, or the proper way of performing it.

Mammography

For women over 50, and even above 40, a regular yearly mammography is recommended for diagnosing breast

cancer.

In many developed countries the service is provided free of cost.

However the rate of women turning up of it is not very promising.

Some estimates have shown that only 38 % of women 50 and 50 plus ever had a mammogram (Dawson, and

Thompson, 1990).

The rate of Asian women settled in the west, who utilize the facility of mammography is even lower.

Women, whichever race they belong to have a tendency to avoid going for a mammogram due to various

reasons:

_ Fear of radiation

_ Embarrassment over the procedure

_ Anticipated pain

_ Anxiety

_ Concern over costs, especially in case of poorer women (Fullerton et. Al., 1996; Lantz, Weigers, and

House, 1997).

The economic factor is very important in women's uptake of medical care and facility.

Women, if not working have to look up to men for their health care.

In case of single women, or mothers in single parent families, women tend to postpone medical consultation

due to limited economic resources.

The uptake of cervical cytology among women has also not been encouraging.

Research done in the past 20-25 years has shown that although a cervical smear can be very helpful in

diagnosing cervical cancer, few women go for this examination.

The reasons may be the same as the ones for a low turn out for mammography.

It is estimated that around 10 % of Asian women eligible for this screening utilize it in Britain.

In this case finances are not a problem, because this service is provided free of cost.

In case of men many men keep postponing screening and tests for prostate cancer.

Very few men perform self examination for testicular cancer.

Gender Issues In Psychology (PSY - 512)

In both cases, most men either lack proper knowledge, or feel embarrassment over being examined by the

doctor. Also in case of rectal or intestinal problems most men, avoid medical consultation in order to avoid

endoscopy.

Table of Contents: