There are many positive health benefits associated with regular physical activity, and the health risks of inactivity are equally clear. Most of the research on physical activity, however, has been contained within the sport, exercise and recreation disciplines. Studies on the implications of physical activity for disease prevention, management and rehabilitation are increasing but are still limited in number and scope. As well, the relationship between physical activity and the well-being of individuals and communities has not been adequately understood, and the linkages between disease, social and psychological well-being, and physical activity need to be explored more fully. Finally, it has been argued by feminist researchers that the biological, psychological, social and cultural experience of being female in our society has not been adequately addressed in much of the health and exercise literature.
This literature review originated from the difficulties policy makers, practitioners, and programmers experienced in accessing diverse sources of research, and the challenges they faced while attempting to make sense of conflicting conclusions. Notwithstanding, the current health and well-being trends in the Canadian population provided an additional imperative for this project. Girls are less active than boys at most ages, women have been experiencing increasing rates of various diseases such as fibromyalgia, coronary heart disease and cancers, and both girls and women experience body image dissatisfaction, low self-esteem and eating disorders at a much higher rate than boys and men. This literature review tackled the complex relationship between health and physical activity in the context of girls and women’s lives through a multi-disciplinary and holistic approach. From this analysis, future research strategies and policy implications to support and improve the health and well-being of girls and women were identified.
