Physical activity varies substantially among American women of different races.
Overall, minority women are less likely to engage in exercise than white women are but this picture changes when other types of physical activity, such as housework and occupational activity, are taken into account. Ross Brownson, Ph.D., professor of epidemiology, Saint Louis University School of Public Health, reported these findings in last month s issue of the American Journal of Public Health. We wanted to realistically look at physical activity of all types so those groups of people who don t go to a gym or have time to play recreational sports wouldn t be excluded. Dr. Brownson and his team looked at 2,912 U.S. women over 40 years of age during a one-year period. The women were interviewed by telephone and responded to 92 questions concerning their physical activity.