Sidewalks, Crime Affect Women's Physical Activity Throughout U.S

Excuses, excuses, excuses.

Getting women to meet the U.S. federal government's recommended level of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity remains a huge challenge. A large new study shows that where women live affects just how likely they are to exercise.

The study, appearing online and in the November issue American Journal of Preventive Medicine, found that women throughout the United States, in both urban and suburban areas, were more likely to walk where they felt safe and had access to sidewalks and other community resources.

"The results from this study confirm what we know about the health benefits of living in neighborhoods with access to recreation facilities and resources such as shops and stores," said Keshia Pollack, assistant professor at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, who is familiar with the study.

"The bottom line is when people have access to these types of resources, they are more likely to meet physical activity recommendations," said Pollack, who specializes in formulating policies to create safe and healthy environments.

The bottom line is that if people wanted to engage in physical activity, they would do it.

Remember - where there is a will, there is a way.

The rest is bulls**t.