The following article is about why women need to be more active than men. It also explores factors that influence these differences.
Are there any gender differences in the amount of physical activity that we engage in, or do we simply differ when it comes to our participation rates? Are there some other reasons that contribute to this difference that will be discussed later on? Let’s look at some of these contributing factors.
The Gender Gap In Physical Activity Level
The percentage of females who are physically inactive compared to males is significantly higher than male’s. According to a study conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in 2013, more than 46% of American adults are considered “inactive”. This statistic shows a significant gap when comparing the level of activity between genders.
According to the CDC, only 15% of girls meet the minimum recommended activity levels for their age group. On average, boys and girls of the same age group tend to have slightly different levels of physical activities, with the majority of them being less than 1 hour per week. More specifically, 55% and 45% of boys and girls aged 12 to 19 years, respectively, fall under the appropriate activity levels for their age group.
This means that, by comparison, 24% of girls tend to be less active than boys.
Factors That Influence Participation Rates Of Females And Males
The main factor behind this discrepancy in the percentage of females and males, especially those under 18 years, that are considered inactive is the lack of motivation amongst both sexes. One reason that may be cited for this lack of motivation is the perceived pressure from society that makes individuals feel like they have little or no time to participate in physical activity.
However, another common reason is that females perceive themselves as not having enough energy or stamina to exercise regularly. A study found that one-fifth of females think that they don’t have enough energy and stamina to exercise regularly. These findings show that the issue can be related to an individual’s perception of their own ability to participate in physical activity.
Another important factor influencing the difference in physical activity levels between males and females is the type of sport they play. Men tend to take part in sports such as boxing, swimming, tennis, biking, etc., while women tend to prefer sports such as golf, hiking, dancing, etc. There are also gender differences in how much time females spend playing physical games. Girls tend to be dedicated players who are always willing to put in extra effort during competition time.
They tend to prioritize fun over winning, which can lead to lower motivation and decreased rates of engagement. Meanwhile, boys tend to be more competitive and focused on finishing the game before moving onto the next round. Therefore, it is likely that males believe that physical activity is for athletic prowess, whereas females focus more on fitness.
In addition to the mentioned reasons, some studies suggest that females may experience greater barriers when trying to get involved in sports due to societal norms and expectations. Furthermore, some research suggests that males who engage in physical activity may be more likely to receive support from friends or family members. To conclude, females are typically shown to be more reluctant to join sports clubs or participate in sports, which could account for the disparity seen between gender.
What Can You Do To Help If Your Sex Has Limited Access To Sport
The best way to help combat these differences may be through raising awareness about the importance of physical activity and encouraging both sexes to pursue healthful activities that they enjoy. By doing so, you may be able to reduce the number of people who consider themselves to be “inactive”. Additionally, raising awareness to encourage both sexes may also include teaching children in schools to engage in physical activities.
Educating parents as well can help ensure children are more physically active and less likely to become overweight. Finally, encouraging all participants to maintain a healthy body weight, particularly around the middle age range, can help combat the risk of developing obesity and associated health issues, among others.
Conclusion
It is clear that, despite the existing evidence supporting the fact that females tend to be more inactive than males, there are still several factors that prevent them from participating actively in sports. With the numerous benefits that physical activity offers, it is crucial that everyone (especially men) plays a role in helping combat this discrepancy and improve overall health outcomes.
