Medindia LOGIN REGISTER
Medindia
Advertisement

Women Feel That They Are Unhealthy Than Their Peers

by Julia Samuel on November 22, 2017 at 3:08 PM
Women Feel That They Are Unhealthy Than Their Peers

Health trends among women and men aged 25-34 from 1990-2014 were reviewed. In 1990, 8.5 percent of women self-rated their health as being worse than peers in their own age group.

At 2014, this trend had increased to 20 percent of women. In contrast, a bigger part of the men self-rated their health as better at the end of the study period compared to the start.

Advertisement


"In recent years, public debate has raised the issue of increased illness and sick leaves among women. Our study now shows, for the first time, that there are corresponding health trends also among young women," says Annika Forssén, researcher at the Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, general practitioner and co-author of the article.

The researchers behind the study have, through a long-term, population-based survey, analysed answers from 1,811 people in the MONICA study in Northern Sweden. As a part of a standard health check, study participants answered a questionnaire which included questions about self-rated health.
Advertisement

The results also showed that an increased proportion of study participants indicated obesity, anxiety and dissatisfaction with their personal economy, among both women and men. Simultaneously, the proportion of women and men with high levels of physical activity increased over the period.

"A generally worsened self-rated health among young people most likely suggests increased risk of illness both in the short and long term. The results show that gender equality efforts, and especially the promotion of equal rights to health for men and women, need significant revisions," says Göran Waller, researcher at the Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, general practitioner and co-author.

According to the study authors, possible causes for this negative health trend among young women may be:
  • Tougher working conditions in female-dominated professions such as in healthcare
  • Increased risk of burnouts (stress-related exhaustion disorder) and stress of conscience
  • Lack of equality in one's private life
  • Men's violence against women
  • Two conflicting but coinciding norm systems in society - equality and traditional gender roles - where women must fulfill expectation related to both ("manage everything")
  • General societal expectations such as pressures to be both successful, socially active and physically attractive
  • Self-confidence based on achievements and expected patterns of consumption
  • According to the researchers, some possible reasons for the positive development among men may be:
    • In the labor market, men are still valued more highly than women despite having a lower level of education
    • A more equal responsibility for children and the household is beneficial for men's health
    • The equality norm opens up for more variation in the so-called masculine role
    • Lesser ties to rigid masculine norms in the local community through the Internet


    Source: Eurekalert
Font : A-A+

Advertisement

Advertisement
Advertisement

Recommended Readings

Latest Lifestyle and Wellness News

Social Media Reshapes New Parenting Journeys
Amid the challenges of caring for newborns and toddlers, a study notes a rising trend of new parents seeking social media's help for managing their children.
Social Isolation With No Family & Friends Visits Linked to Mortality Risk
Lack of friends and family visits is tied to a 39% increased risk of mortality that can be used to develop effective therapies associated with social isolation.
Sunscreen & Its Pseudoeffects of Sun Protection
Compared to wearing sun-protective clothes and avoiding the sun, using sunscreen is the least effective way to prevent sunburn on the skin.
How Fruit & Vegetable Microbiomes Benefit Human Gut Health?
Bacterial diversity in the human gut is benefited by eating fruit and vegetables with microorganisms of probiotic and health-promoting characteristics.
Surprising Independence of Weight Loss
New research challenges the common notion that couples achieve better weight loss results.
View All
This site uses cookies to deliver our services.By using our site, you acknowledge that you have read and understand our Cookie Policy, Privacy Policy, and our Terms of Use  Ok, Got it. Close
×

Women Feel That They Are Unhealthy Than Their Peers Personalised Printable Document (PDF)

Please complete this form and we'll send you a personalised information that is requested

You may use this for your own reference or forward it to your friends.

Please use the information prudently. If you are not a medical doctor please remember to consult your healthcare provider as this information is not a substitute for professional advice.

Name *

Email Address *

Country *

Areas of Interests