The Muscle Mag
Lina Chan, director of women’s health at retail giant Holland & Barrett, emphasized during the webinar that women, on average, spend more time in ill-health than men despite having a longer life expectancy.
“We need to shift women’s focus from disease states to a more proactive attitude, and the key to achieving that is through early education,” she stated.
Chan highlighted that key health concerns for women include cardiovascular disease, dementia, and bone health, all of which are preventable through proper engagement and education.
Bone health
Sharon Madigan PhD, head of performance nutrition at the Sport Ireland Institute, expressed concerns that female athletes lack access to specialized knowledge and often receive inadequate advice from medical professionals.
Madigan stressed the importance of educating females about medications and the potential risks of relying solely on the oral contraceptive pill to manage symptoms.
She also noted the negative impact of the pandemic on athletes’ nutrition and training habits, leading to an increase in injuries, particularly affecting bone health.
Marit Veenstra, communication and innovation strategist at Healthy Marketing Team, pointed out the opportunity for companies to address joint health concerns in women.
Communication and personalization
Veenstra emphasized the need for brands to prioritize scientific research and build trust with consumers by justifying their claims.
Chan highlighted the importance of breaking taboos surrounding women’s health and stressed the benefits of personalized approaches tailored to individual hormonal fluctuations.
Veenstra criticized brands for treating women as a homogeneous group and emphasized the need for more personalized communication strategies.
Gut health
Emily Prpa PhD, science manager at Yakut UK & Ireland, discussed the lack of research on women’s gut health and its implications for overall health.
Prpa highlighted the dynamic relationship between gut microbiota and female sex hormones, particularly during life stages such as puberty, pregnancy, and menopause.
She also pointed out the link between gut dysbiosis and conditions like IBS and endometriosis, urging for more personalized interventions in gut health.
Madigan noted the increasing presence of female athletes in research and emphasized the need for further studies to improve understanding and interventions in women’s health.
