A year into the pandemic, COVID-19 exercise slump has hit women harder

Sumary of A year into the pandemic, COVID-19 exercise slump has hit women harder:

• Women are generally less active than men and this disparity between genders in exercise participation exacerbates the gender inequality in health..
• Since March 2020, when countries and cities across the globe started their lockdowns, the World Health Organization (WHO) launched the #HealthyAtHome campaign to encourage populations to stay active while social-distancing or self-isolating at home..
• The campaign recommends a minimum of 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity per week for adults and a minimum of 60 minutes a day of moderate to vigorous-intensity physical activity for children and adolescents (age 5-17)..
• The World Health Organization developed social media shareables to encourage people to stay active and healthy at home during the pandemic..
• (World Health Organization) Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, we have observed that peoples’ physical exercise routines can be disrupted..
• Whether people have been able to remain physically active these past 12 months, may depend on their backgrounds and circumstances — some may have had to continue working during the pandemic (for example, frontline and essential workers) and are exhausted by the demands of their jobs..
• Exercise is critical for health during COVID-19 Physical exercise is crucial for maintaining both physical and mental health..
• Research suggests that physical exercise can prevent chronic diseases including diabetes, obesity, respiratory diseases and hypertension..
• Exercise can also improve cardiovascular health, boost energy levels, control weight and enhance sleep quality..
• Staying physically active during the pandemic can prepare and strengthen people immune systems against COVID-19, reducing the likelihood of severe symptoms caused by the infection..
• Because of the pandemic, people and communities worldwide have been experiencing higher levels of stress, anxiety and depression..
• Gender inequality in exercise during COVID-19 Women are often less physically active than males across age groups due to their gender roles and responsibilities, and this is often exacerbated due to race, class and disability..
• Our analysis of data from the Understanding Coronavirus in America project shows that during the pandemic both men and women have become more physically active..
• Many women are also essential workers (including nurses and personal service workers in long-term care homes and hospitals) who may have no time to exercise…

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From The Conversation - April 6, 2021