7547 The average age at THE beginning OF THE study was 42 ¨Cyears ¨Cold; 49 percent were African American, 58 percent reported more than a high school education, AND 38 percent smoked cigarettes. 7827 In THE category OF stress, researchers found that high levels OF physical activity were THE most beneficial TO postmenopausal women AND African-American women. They reported lower levels OF perceived stress than those who did not exercise. This top-tier group walked at a moderate pace (4 miles per hour) FOR an hour AND a half at least five times a week. 9643
The middle tier walked five times a week FOR 40 minutes. THE bottom group ¡ª considered THE non-exercisers ¡ª walked FOR 15 minutes about five times a week.4196
3194 ¡°In THE urban setting, these women walked outside on city blocks or IN shopping malls. Groups could organize TO take walks after dinner. It didn¡¯t require going TO THE gym,¡± Nelson said. ¡°You don¡¯t HAVE TO run 20 miles a week TO reap THE benefits OF exercise. If you stick TO a moderate-paced walking schedule, it can keep your body mass index down AND lower THE risk OF stress, anxiety AND depression,¡± she added.8855
9215 ¡°We recruited African-American AND Caucasian women living IN Philadelphia FOR this study TO better represent THE large population OF urban women. These results can BE generalizable TO both urban Caucasian AND African-American women, groups OF women that HAVE BEEN under-represented IN previous studies,¡± Nelson said.5477
6693 While THE study found mental benefits OF exercise, it did not show that exercise reduced physical symptoms such as hot flashes.391
1953 By design, all OF THE women were pre-menopausal at baseline. Eight years after enrollment, 20 percent OF THE women were menopausal with an additional 18 percent classified IN THE late transitional phase. 9923
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2955 ¡°Physical symptoms like hot flashes will go away when you reach menopause, but mental health is something women still need TO think about post-menopause,¡± Nelson said. 4262 From 1996 TO 1997, 380 women living IN Philadelphia were recruited AND they HAVE BEEN followed FOR more than eight years. THE women reported their physical activity level AND menopausal symptoms including stress, anxiety, depression AND hot flashes.5650 With more menopausal women seeking natural therapies TO ease symptoms, a new study has found that simply adding a brisk walking routine can reduce a variety OF psychological symptoms such as anxiety, stress AND depression. THE research is published IN THE January issue OF Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention.
8829 About this article: This information provided by Temple University. January 20083982 ¡°With THE aging population, physical activity represents one way FOR women TO stay mentally healthy. Physical activity can help throughout THE menopausal transition AND afterwards,¡± said Temple University public health researcher Deborah Nelson, Ph.D, THE study¡¯s lead author.3835
