Profile of exercising women

Responses to a questionnaire by 497 women on their exercise, nutrition, and health habits were studied. Analysis showed respondents were well educated and represented a wide age range. The majority exercised at least 3 times a week for at least half an hour per session. Slightly more than half had been engaging in exercise for more than 5 years, with about 1 in 4 beginning for health goals and 1 in 4 motivated by weight control. Health was ranked in the top three most important reasons for continuing to exercise by more than half the women, but so were weight control, pleasure, and tension reduction. Lack of time limited regularity.