Girls and women need more time in nature to stay fit

Supporting girls and women in their efforts to be physically vigorous must become a global priority public health priorityPreliminary results from our research at Dalhousie University suggest that access to nature may be key to achieving this goal.

A recent study in Lancet Global Health Global data from the last 15 years has been collected and shows persistent and worrying trends: women are still not doing enough physical activity, and the gap between women’s and men’s activity levels is widening.

Similar trends can be observed among girls aged 12 to 17. Only two percent meet Canadian 24-hour travel guidelines — which include adequate sleep and at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity.

Our own evidence review also found that girls have convoluted relationships with physical activity, requiring constant negotiation of gender roles and stereotypes. They must navigate cultural narratives focused on “the body” in many parts of their lives every day. They are expected to be pretty but look natural, slim but not too slim, fit but not too muscular.

We are currently conducting research to investigate the health of adolescent girls and juvenile women using a technique called photovoicein which participants take photos to immortalize their own experiences.

Flowers, trees and water

In this study, we asked seven research participants to take photos of their experiences with health, nutrition, and physical activity and then discuss them as a group to find themes or trends.

They found themes related to challenging norms and stereotypes and the importance of social support and self-confidence. They discussed their perceptions that “everything is gendered” and that there are activities that girls “should do.” They talked about sometimes feeling excluded from boy-dominated sports and the expectations around what girls should wear when being vigorous.

They also discussed how they challenged these norms. For example, the girls took photos of themselves doing unusual physical activities, such as aerial acrobatics and climbing trees in skirts. They also emphasized the importance of support from friends and family to feel safe and sound when challenging the norms. Another surprising finding was the emphasis they placed on being in nature.

Although nature and the environment were not part of the intended research goal, being outdoors proved essential. Many girls and juvenile women shared photos of natural elements such as flowers, trees, and water.

They also took pictures of themselves, their friends, and their families doing physical activities outdoors. This most often included general vigorous outdoor play, but also, more specifically, activities such as hiking and camping.

We learned that nature provides an essential context for girls and juvenile women to feel comfortable, safe and sound, and confident as they navigate convoluted gender norms around physical activity.

Unthreatening outdoor spaces

A recent review shows that due to urbanization and parental concerns, young people have less contact with nature than ever before and as a result they lose their health benefits.

This trend is reflected in popular culture, books, songs and films increasingly rarely depict nature.

Similarly, a large-scale study conducted in the United States found that young people spend more time with technology than with nature but it also indicates that they value time spent in nature and need more opportunities to make such connections.

With the United Nations last warning that we only have about a decade to change climate change without devastating consequences, engaging with nature has never been more urgent. This can be done by encouraging outdoor play, supporting vigorous transportation, and providing safe and sound spaces for women and girls to participate.

Achieving gender equality

Interestingly enough, the evidence suggests This women face barriers to experience nature.

Gender expectations, fear for one’s safety, and feelings of objectification and vulnerability force girls and women to negotiate these feelings in order to participate in outdoor recreation.

Achieving gender equality is a key challenge of the 21st century, reinforced by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goalswhich also highlight the importance of nature, environment, sustainability and health.

The benefits of physical activity for mental and physical health are extensive, but are not recognized by half the population. Research is beginning to investigate gender and the external environmentwhile the importance of nature for women is gaining strength.

But there is still much work to be done to determine how this finding can support gender equality. The importance of nature for health promotion is a new trend in researchand focus on the upcoming Conference of the International Union for the Promotion of Health and Education.

Could nature be the key to promoting physical activity among girls and women? More research is needed to be sure, but it certainly shows promise.