Relationship between Menstrual Status, Self Esteem, and Exercise - a Health Promotive Behavior

This exploratory study describes the relationship between self esteem and exercise in midlife women. Midlife women who are members of a Women\u27s Center were surveyed using the Tennessee Self Concept Scale and an Exercise Questionnaire. In this sample, 55% of the midlife women identified themselves as exercisers. Statistical analysis using two tailed t test found a significant difference in mean self esteem scores between women who exercised and non-exercisers. Women who exercised had higher self esteems than the non-exercisers in this sample. There were no significant difference in self esteem and premenopausal and menopausal women. There were also no significant difference in exercise participation between premenopausal and menopausal women. This information can be used to intensify efforts at changing the sedentary lifestyle of Americans, specifically women. As evidence continues to show the benefits of physical exercise the nursing profession should play a leading role in assessment, intervention and evaluation of the health promoting behavior of exercise