The author of the study said possible reasons for the disparity "include the fact that obesity is increasing among Americans and women are particularly susceptible to the adverse effects of abdominal obesity."

It was also noted that "women younger than 65 have unique risk factors, they said, including pregnancy, birth control pills, more frequent migraine headaches and use of hormone replacement therapy."

This latest study is further proof for the need for a regular exercise regimen. Of course, squeezed between career family, elder care (and shuttling to soccer practice!), it is easy to see how middle aged women don't feel they have time to exercise.

But there are plenty of ways to squeeze a work-out here or there. For example, try walking around the field during soccer practice? I often read the paper while on the exercise bike. Not ideal but it beats not riding (or not reading the paper). We're seeing the health consequences of our sedentary lifestyle and need to do something about it if we want to stop seeing stories like the one you cited.

Wesley Hein
Wesley [at] lifetwo [dot] com
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