An Overview and Proposed Framework of Social-Environmental Influences on the Physical-Activity Behavior of Women

OBJECTIVE: The primary purposes of this review were to identify key social-environmental influences on the physical-activity behavior of women and to propose an organizing framework of these influences in the social environment. DATA SOURCES: Computerized searches of MEDLINE, Science Direct, and CINAHL were conducted to identify relevant research. Study Inclusion and Exclusion Criteria. Studies were included if they used a sample of adult women or included gender-specific analysis, identified or measured some aspect of the social environment in relation to physical activity, and were published in English within the last two decades. DATA EXTRACTION: Characteristics of study design, sample population, and identified social-environmental variables were extracted. DATA SYNTHESIS: Through an iterative review of the data by several researchers, common influences and themes were identified and organized into a social environment framework, which included the following components: social support/social networks, life transitions/ multiple roles, and cultural standards/gender role expectations. RESULTS: Women are exposed to societal messages that indicate physical activity is not a priority and may be inappropriate; they may also lack the social support necessary to adopt and maintain physical activity. CONCLUSIONS: This review reveals the complex range of factors in the social environment that influence women, and it provides support for the importance of the social environment on physical-activity behavior in women. A social-environmental framework related to Bronfenbrenner's social ecological model is proposed along with recommended strategies to apply in interventions targeting women.