Walking for Health - Just What the Doctor Ordered

Posted 11 March 2009

Walking for health is considered such a success that doctors put country walks on prescription.

Walking for health has long been recognised by health experts and nutritionists as the best way for people of all ages and fitness levels to lose weight and boost their overall well being. There are countless benefits to walking for health reasons - as well as losing weight, walking can lower blood pressure, reduce the risk of heart disease, diabetes and certain cancers, help you sleep better and lift your mood. So it isn't surprising walking for health was prescribed by NHS doctors in 2007 as part of a government drive to tackle sedentary, couch potato lifestyles. The walking for health initiative's aim was to reduce the many related illnesses triggered by a lazy lifestyle, including obesity and diabetes.

Walking for Health - The Ideal Exercise

Obesity is considered the first sign of underlying illnesses such as heart disease, and there are health advisers who believe that walking for health and exercise could be more beneficial than drugs. The idea of walking for health by prescription was trialled in 2007 as doctors sent their patients on health walks to see how walking for health improved their condition and their fitness. Various organisations such as the British Heart Foundation and Natural England have worked together in the past to promote walking for health. The idea of prescription walks would rely on groups and authorities working together to ensure patients walked at the right speed and length according to their condition.

Reducing Inequalities by Walking for Health

More people are being encouraged to take responsibility for their own health rather than relying on official schemes or waiting for their doctor's go ahead. There are many walking for health schemes and support groups, such as the Fitbug scheme online. And walking for health is something anybody, with the right motivation and intent, can do. The government is keen for more of us to take up walking for health as the cost of obesity and the associated illnesses, from heart disease to cancer, is costing the NHS an estimated £29 billion a year - a figure that is set to rise if more action isn't taken against the obesity epidemic.
Walking for health also appeals across the board because walking doesn't cost anything. You don't have to be well off or be able to afford exclusive gym membership - walking for health in the country's green spaces could be the answer to reducing health inequalities in the UK as well as promoting well being.

Interested in Walking for Health? Fitbug can Help

By using the Fitbug pedometer you can get the right structure and motivation to keep you on the straight and narrow. You can choose a walking programme to suit your level and fit your schedule. If you are the sort of person who likes concrete evidence of how they are getting on, print out your programme, stick it on your fridge and cross off each power walk as you complete it. Find out more, call: 0870 228 4949.