A recent study found that women with larger breasts tended to participate in less strenuous exercise and exercise less frequently, but after breast reduction surgery, they participated in significantly more group recreational exercise. This study highlights the need for women to have easier access to publicly funded breast reduction interventions.
The new study, published in the International Journal of Plastic Surgery (JPRAS Open), suggests that in some cases, more accessible, government-funded breast reduction surgery and other interventions should be made more available.
The questionnaire was developed based on research at Flinders University and supported by the UK Free Community Parkrun Research Committee.
The survey, completed by nearly 2,000 women participating in the Parkrun program in Australia, the UK and South Africa, found that women with larger breasts believed reducing breast size would improve their performance and participation in sports.
Additionally, all 56 of the 1,987 women surveyed who had breast reduction surgery said they lived a healthier and more active lifestyle.
Dr Claire Baxter, clinical registrar in plastic surgery at Flinders Medical Centre, said: "Women who have had breast reduction surgery reported an increase in their frequency, enjoyment and willingness to participate in group exercise. Our study found that breast size affects exercise habits and that breast reduction surgery changes their willingness to exercise."
The study, which excluded women with a history of breast cancer, aimed to investigate the impact of breast size on women's exercise habits and how it compared with women who had undergone breast reduction surgery.
South Australian researchers, including Flinders University Associate Professor Nicola Dean, promoted the importance of regular exercise on weight and ischemic heart disease and pointed to barriers to Australian government subsidies for breast reduction surgery identified in the Australian Medicare Scheme.
Associate Professor Dean said: "As well as requiring patients to have macromastia, neck or shoulder pain, states have a range of requirements for breast reduction surgery. For example, Queensland, Victoria and Tasmania all have body mass index (BMI) restrictions, which can lead to waiting times of 12 months or more. Breast reduction surgery through the National Health Service in the UK also varies across locations, leading to a 'postcode lottery' as breast reduction surgery is considered a lower priority surgery."
In addition to comparing 5km park run race times and bra sizes, the BREAST-Q study also looked at cup size satisfaction - with results showing that AA, A, B and C cups reported higher self-satisfaction than DD, E, F, G and H or larger cup sizes.
In addition, life satisfaction and happiness were also significantly related to bra size, with those with cup sizes larger than E having lower average values.
Dr. Baxter concluded, "The benefits of breast reduction surgery require greater awareness and academic support."