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Annals of Behavioral Medicine
Published in: Annals of Behavioral Medicine 3/2009

01-06-2009 | Original Article

Life Events and Changing Physical Activity Patterns in Women at Different Life Stages

Authors: Wendy J. Brown, Ph.D., Kristiann C. Heesch, Dr.PH., Yvette D. Miller, Ph.D.

Published in: Annals of Behavioral Medicine | Issue 3/2009

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Abstract

Background

The impact of life events on physical activity (PA) is little understood.

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine relationships between specific life events and changes in PA in three cohorts of Australian women.

Methods

Young (N = 7,173; age 22–27 years), mid-age (N = 8,762; 51–56 years), and older (N = 6,660; 73–78 years) participants in the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women’s Health completed surveys on two occasions, 3 years apart.

Results

About one third of the young and mid-age women and one quarter of the older women were “active” at both times. Decreasing PA was associated with marriage and childbirth in young women and with declining health in older women. Increasing PA was associated with retirement and death of spouse in the mid-age women. Stressful events such as divorce, harassment at work, and violence were also associated with changing PA.

Conclusions

There were significant associations between age-specific life events and PA changes. Understanding these relationships could inform interventions for preventing declines in activity at specific life stages.
Appendix
Available only for authorised users
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Metadata
Title
Life Events and Changing Physical Activity Patterns in Women at Different Life Stages
Authors
Wendy J. Brown, Ph.D.
Kristiann C. Heesch, Dr.PH.
Yvette D. Miller, Ph.D.
Publication date
01-06-2009
Publisher
Springer-Verlag
Published in
Annals of Behavioral Medicine / Issue 3/2009
Print ISSN: 0883-6612
Electronic ISSN: 1532-4796
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s12160-009-9099-2

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