People in Hinckley should be walking more often
Charities warn about dangers of not being active in our lifestyle
PEOPLE in Hinckley should be walking more, as charities warn our sedentary lifestyles are putting us at risk of serious health problems.
The latest government figures reveal that more than one in every four adults in our city don’t do any walking, even once a month.
“Any walking” any continuous minutes or more.
Around 28% of people in Hinckley walk less than once a month.
The good news is that this means most of us are at least doing some walking, but the bad news is we’re probably not walking often enough.
Just 66% of people across Hinckley walk at least once a week, while 37% of people walk at least three times a week.
When it comes to walking as much as five times or more a week, only 28% of people in our city do so.
The NHS recommend that adults do at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise a week, as is defined as walk for 10 well as strength exercises twice a week or more.
Walking is both simple and free, and is one of the easiest ways to meet this target, helping you to lose weight and become healthier.
Even a brisk 10-minute daily walk has lots of 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.”
The figures come at a time when obesity is becoming a big problem across the UK.
In Leicestershire, more than half of all adults are either overweight or obese (61%) - 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, disease.
Alongside the serious illhealth it provokes, it can reduce people’s prospects in life, affecting their ability to get and hold down work, their selfesteem and their underlying cancer and heart mental health.
Excess weight also costs the NHs more than £5bn 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 [link to www.walkingforhealth. org.uk] 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.”