ABSTRACT
Physical activity (PA) in women across the lifespan can improve health outcomes and prevent chronic diseases. Physical inactivity is a leading contributor to the development of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) and can negatively affect mental health and quality of life. Given that two in every three deaths among women are caused by NCDs, the promotion of PA should play a fundamental role in mitigating the impact of these diseases in women. Helping women increase PA requires the collective effort of an interprofessional healthcare team. Health care providers should play a key role in screening, counseling, and appropriately referring patients to adopt and increase PA. This chapter will cover PA in women across the lifespan, including evidence-based support and guidelines to PA prescription for healthy and special populations.
