From Prevention to Healthy Longevity: Evaluating the Multi‐Systemic Effects of Physical Activity and Lifestyle Behaviours in Women
Darah Dilmaghani, Mary Collins, Gloria A. BachmannABSTRACT
Purpose
Despite spending more on healthcare than any other high‐income nation, the United States faces comparatively poor life expectancy outcomes, primarily due to non‐compliance with preventable and modifiable lifestyle behaviours. This review evaluates the multi‐systemic benefits of physical activity, exercise, diet, weight management and other healthy lifestyle factors as proactive strategies to enhance longevity in women.
Methods
A targeted review was conducted via PubMed to identify peer‐reviewed literature published between 2002 and 2025 examining the intersections between physical activity, lifestyle behaviours and health outcomes in women. Evidence from cohort studies, randomized controlled trials and systematic reviews was synthesized. Search terms included combinations of: ‘physical activity’, ‘exercise’, ‘diet’, ‘nutrition’, ‘weight management’, ‘mental health’, ‘cognitive function’, ‘bone health’, ‘menopause’, ‘longevity’ and ‘women's health’. Additional studies were identified through manual review of the reference lists of relevant articles. Studies were included if they: (1) were published in English; (2) examined adult female populations or provided sex‐disaggregated data; (3) assessed at least one lifestyle behaviour (physical activity, diet, weight, smoking, alcohol); and (4) reported outcomes related to mental health, cognition, bone health, menopause, weight, chronic disease or mortality. Given the narrative nature of this review, no formal quality assessment or meta‐analysis was performed. As well, the narrative nature of this review and reliance on self‐reported data in many included studies should be considered when interpreting findings.
Results
Clinical evidence demonstrates that adherence to five low‐risk lifestyle factors—regular exercise, a nutrient‐dense diet, healthy weight and avoidance of tobacco and excessive alcohol—can increase women's life expectancy by > 14 years. Physically active lifestyles are shown to modulate CNS neurotransmitters (serotonin, dopamine) and reduce oxidative stress, effectively alleviating depression symptoms and anxiety. Furthermore, weight‐bearing and resistance exercise facilitate attainment and maintenance of peak bone mass, mitigate menopausal symptoms and significantly slow age‐related memory decline, even in genetically predisposed individuals with the APOE ɛ4 allele.
Conclusion
A proactive clinical model emphasizing lifelong physical activity and healthy lifestyle choices is essential for improving long‐term health outcomes, notably mitigating chronic disease risk and extending longevity. Promoting a preventative health template is a public health necessity to reduce the national burden of chronic disease and preserve quality of life in aging women.