Lack of walking is major factor
Majority of city’s adults overweight or obese, say experts
BIRMINGHAM couch potatoes are risking their lives as figures revealed two thirds of adults are overweight or obese.
Experts this week warned that a sedentary lifestyle is putting thousands of people in the city at risk of serious health problems.
A quarter of Birmingham’s adult population refuses to do ‘ any walking’ even once a month. ‘ Any walking’ is defined as a continuous stroll for 10 minutes or more.
In Birmingham nearly two-thirds of all adults are either overweight or obese (65 per cent) – defined as having a body mass index (BMI) greater or equal to 25kg/m2.
Excess weight is a major risk factor for diseases such as Type 2 diabetes, cancer and heart disease.
Just over a quarter of people in Birmingham walk less than once a month, according to Government figures.
And the rest of the population is probably not walking often enough.
Just 62 per cent of people across Birmingham walk at least once a week, while 36 per cent of people walk at least three times a week.
When it comes to walking as much as five times or more a week,
only 26 per cent of people in mingham do so.
The NHS recommends that adults do at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise a week, as well as strength exercises twice a week or more. Even a brisk 10-minute daily walk has health benefits.
Vanessa Smith, Senior Cardiac Nurse at the British Heart Foundation said: “These recent government figures are concerning as we know leading a sedentary lifestyle can lead to serious health problems later in life and puts you at greater risk of heart and circulatory disease.
“Walking is a fantastic and simple way to keep active and maintain a healthy heart.
“It can also help lower your blood pressure, cholesterol and reduce your risk of developing diabetes.
“To see long-term benefits it is important to include exercise such as walking as part of a healthy lifestyle and also address other risk factors such as quitting smoking and eating a healthy balanced diet.”
Alongside the serious ill-health obesity provokes, it can reduce people’s prospects in life, affecting their ability to get and hold down work, their self-esteem and their underlying mental health. Excess
Birweight also costs the NHS more than £5 billion each year.
Ed Nicholas, programme manager for Ramblers Walking for Health, said: “Inactivity is a major contributor to health problems across the UK, so it is worrying that so many people still aren’t walking regularly.
“Regular walking has proven health benefits, and the Ramblers works to help everyone find their feet.
“Walking is a great way to stay fit and healthy; it’s easy, low impact and accessible to almost everyone.
“What’s more, it’s free, you don’t need much more equipment than a good pair of shoes, and no matter your level of fitness, it’s is a fantastic way to start getting fitter.
“If you’ve not done much walking before, getting active can be a bit daunting, so Ramblers Walking for Health walks are a great way to get started.
“The short, easy group walks are aimed particularly at those who are less active and are led by specially trained volunteers who offer support and make sure no one gets left behind.
“Walking with a friendly group is also a great way to socialise and stay motivated and spend time outdoors, with all the added wellbeing benefits that brings.”