In recent years the concept of healthy living has gained strength; Against this we find that exercise is a component of healthy lifestyles. And despite this, high percentages of physical inactivity have been reported in the Latin American population as a result of various social, economic, cultural, education and gender factors between women and men. Several authors have argued that the different tasks and roles assumed by women and the burden of care relegate the time they themselves can allocate to a healthy life, since the family has a component of weight in their lives. This information has been linked to the findings of physical health studies that the WHO presents against women's health. The objective of this narrative review is to establish the main factors associated with gender in the lack of physical activity of women in Latin America from the scientific evidence reported for the region. METHODS: A narrative review was conducted in the databases PubMed, Embase, Lilacs, Google Scholars and the repository of the Universidad del Rosario, of articles that report information on the differences in physical activity practice between men and women in Latin America. For the analysis of results, three categories were considered: I) Physical activity, gender and women factors, II) Role of women, lifestyles and their impact on physical activity, and III) Measures to positively impact physical activity in women. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: After the review, 3970 studies were obtained. After the application of inclusion and exclusion criteria, 30 articles were selected for final analysis. 100% of the studies (n=30) included information on physical activity practice in women. 60% of the studies (18) compare the prevalence of physical activity and/or no physical activity or sedentary lifestyle in women with higher prevalences of physical activity in men than in women. While 22 studies (73%) describe findings related to the social role of women and their impact on physical activity. It can be concluded that, despite the existence of recommendations on the practice of the exercise worldwide, there are still large gaps in compliance with these in Latin America. Over the years, sedentary lifestyle and decreased physical activity tend to increase in the Latin American population, mainly in women. This is because, the gender factors that impact on women's physical activity refer to the role of women in society for fulfilling household chores, caring for children and relatives, lack of free time, fear of injury, loss of bodily femininity, unsafe environments with the presence of gangs, organized crime and crime, in addition to the sociocultural ideals that show men with greater facilities than women, which can significantly distance women from the practice of physical activity.
publication date
July 11, 2023 1:35 PM
Research
keywords
Gender factors
Physical activity
Physical inactivity in the Latin American population
