Just Do It: Exploring the Factors that Predict Physical Activity among Women over Age 40

Christina E. Nikitopoulos¹, Ivy K. Ho^1, and Jared R. Dmello²

¹Department of Psychology, University of Massachusetts Lowell, Lowell, MA, USA

²Department of Criminal Justice & Criminology, Sam Houston State University, Huntsville, TX, USA

Cite this paper:
Christina E. Nikitopoulos, Ivy K. Ho and Jared R. Dmello. Just Do It: Exploring the Factors that Predict Physical Activity among Women over Age 40. Journal of Physical Activity Research. 2022; 7(1):56-65. doi: 10.12691/jpar-7-1-8

Abstract

Physical activity is a critical health behavior for people as they age; yet, the majority of individuals do not meet recommended levels. Women over the age of 40 are less active than both their younger counterparts and men, and experience barriers to incorporating physical activity into their daily lives. Using the 2015 National Health Interview Survey data, this study investigated the association between psychological well-being, neighborhood cohesion, and the recommended types of physical activity among women over 40, using a two-step approach. First, binary logistic regressions examined whether psychological well-being, neighborhood cohesion, and covariates influenced physical activity frequency. Next, negative binomial regressions examined the associations for only physically active women. When comparing women who were active with those who were not, there were strong associations between variables. When examining only active women, the differences in the frequency of physical activity is primarily lost, suggesting these factors more strongly affect the likelihood of exercising than the frequency. Campaigns which encourage women (and all individuals) to exercise, such as Nike’s Just Do It campaign and others on both the national and local levels, have the potential to make a strong impact on getting women to add physical activity into their lives.

Keywords:
physical activity women over 40 psychological well-being neighborhood cohesion

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