Seoul’s Gangseo-gu (led by District Mayor Jin Kyo-hoon) will launch a free health education program called “Now Is the Time to Exercise” beginning this August for menopausal women who struggle to manage their health amid hormonal changes. The program is open to women aged 50 to 64 who live in Gangseo-gu, and over 12 weeks it will combine weekly “physical exercise” sessions with “nutrition” lectures. The aim is to counter the decline in bone density and loss of muscle caused by falling female hormone levels and to prevent chronic diseases linked to a lack of physical activity. Participation is free, and applications will be accepted from July 23 to August 5.
Menopause is a period in which female hormone levels drop rapidly, reducing bone density and muscle mass, and it often brings health problems such as osteoporosis, joint pain, and difficulty managing blood sugar and weight. The risk of developing chronic disease rises further in the absence of a regular exercise routine. This program is designed to help middle-aged and older women going through these physical changes assess their own condition and learn how to manage their health in daily life.
To improve access for residents, the program will run at two locations. Sessions will be held at the Gayang 3-dong Community Service Center (202 Heojun-ro) every Friday from August 7 to November 6, and at the Hwagok 6-dong Community Service Center (105 Gonghang-daero 46-gil) every Tuesday from August 11 to October 27. At both sites, classes run from 10:30 a.m. to noon. Each center will recruit 25 participants on a first-come, first-served basis, and for safety reasons, residents taking medication or with musculoskeletal conditions are not eligible to take part.
The lectures are structured as a tailored, whole-body care course that takes into account the physical characteristics of menopausal women. The “physical exercise” component will be taught by Lee Ok-jin, an exercise instructor and physical therapist with 15 years of experience, while the “nutrition” component will be led by Lim Hyun-ja, a dietitian who specializes in dietary safety management. Beginning with body composition and basic fitness assessments, participants will progress through strength training to prevent osteoporosis, bodyweight exercises to ease joint pain and improve flexibility, and nutrition education on managing blood sugar and weight to prevent chronic disease. In particular, the course introduces effective ways to consume ingredients that supplement female hormones, such as the isoflavones found in soybeans and tofu, to help participants build healthy eating habits.
 [코리안투데이] Participants performing lower-body strength and core-strengthening exercises © 송정숙 기자 |
The exercise program is set to upbeat music so that participants stay engaged and keep taking part. According to the district, the course goes beyond theory-focused health lectures by including hands-on activity to build fitness, encouraging participants to maintain an exercise routine in their daily lives even after the program ends. This approach focuses on improving lifestyle habits rather than offering a one-off health lecture, and it is expected to help middle-aged and older residents strengthen their ability to manage their own health.
 [코리안투데이] Participants performing shoulder-strengthening exercises using a small tool (resistance band) © 송정숙 기자 |
Gangseo-gu District Mayor Jin Kyo-hoon said, “I hope this program becomes a solid stepping stone that helps women overcome menopause and prepare for an active later life,” adding, “We will continue to put residents’ health first and steadily expand tailored health-promotion programs that are easy to join in everyday life.” Details on how to apply are available on the notices and news board of the Gangseo-gu Public Health Center website, and further information can be obtained from the center’s Pharmaceutical Affairs Division (☎02-2600-5912).
송정숙 기자 (gangseo@thekoreantoday.com)
지역 홍보대사 신청 기자양성과정 신청 코리안투데이 지부장 신청 코리안투데이 강서
코리안브랜드대상 신청 최고경영인대상 신청 소비자만족도대상 신청
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