Lifestyle of working women in modern organization: Implications on health

The Journal of Project Monma Research CentreThe relationship between the lifestyle of professional women and their health has been researched across the globe, including in developing countries. However, the area remains under-published in the context of Pakistan. The present study was conducted in 2013 to explore the effects of lifestyle on women’s health in public and private organizations in Pakistan. The study was quantitative in nature and a sample of 330 professional women was selected by adopting a purposive sampling technique. A self-designed, close-ended questionnaire was used to collect the data. The results of the study highlight that health is strongly related with the lifestyle choices of the participants in modern organizations. Clearly, transformation and reproduction of gender roles have provided a space for women to enter the public arena to meet the demands of the globalizing world. Yet unfavorable working conditions and excessive work at the workplace coupled with traditional household responsibilities put immense pressure on women. As a consequence of this double pressure along with socio-cultural constraints arising from the existing power structure, professional women do not exercise, skip meals and consume junk food. This in turn leads to stress and health issues such as obesity and cardiovascular diseases among professional women. It is imperative that women realize the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle through personal efforts and a change in health behavior