Millions of over-40s fail to walk for health

SHOCKING LEVELS of inactivity among middle-aged people have been exposed in new research which revealed that more than six million English adults do not even manage a brisk 10-minute walk each month.

Public Health England (PHE) said 41 per cent of the 15.3m English adults aged 40 to 60 walk less than 10 minutes continuously each month at a brisk pace.

Health experts have been encouraging people to walk to the shop instead of driving and take up walking on lunch breaks to add “many healthy years” to their lives.

Aiming to do a brisk walk – of at least 3mph – for 10 minutes each day is likely to be seen as “achievable” by people who are chronically inactive, PHE said.

The health benefits of brisk walking for 10 minutes each day include increased fitness, improved mood, increased leanness and a healthier weight and a 15 per cent reduction in the risk of dying prematurely, PHE said.

Walking requires no skill, facilities or equipment and is more “accessible and acceptable” than other forms of physical activity for most people, according to a PHE report.

Professor Sir Muir Gray, clinical adviser for the Active 10 app and the One You campaign, added: “We all know physical activity is good for your health, but for the first time we’re seeing the effects that easily achievable changes can make.

“By walking just 10 continuous minutes at a brisk pace every day, an individual can reduce their risk of early death by 15 per cent. They can also prevent or delay the onset of disability.”