Wellness profile of midlife women with a chronic illness.

Among issues important to women's health are their wellness profiles including indicators such as activity level, weight status, breakfast and snacking patterns, health status perceptions, and alcohol and tobacco use. This is particularly true for midlife women with a long-term illness. The purpose of this study is to identify the wellness profile of a group of midlife women with multiple sclerosis (MS), and to compare their life-style indicators with national health statistics. Overall, the women in the study group indicated a lower perception of their health status and were less active. However, the women in this study group demonstrated healthier body weights, used less tobacco and alcohol, had better breakfast patterns, and comparable snacking patterns, indicating that may be more attuned to their bodies than women without chronic illnesses. Identifying women's wellness profiles can assist practitioners in addressing the issues of health for women managing a long-term illness.