Could walking save the world?

In response to a Lancet Report published this week, the Ramblers is urging people to start walking to combat many of the serious diseases and health consequences of inactivity.

“These statistics are alarming but the good news is that there is a very simple and easy way for people to start turning these results around and that is to start walking,” says Simon Barnett, Ramblers Director of Walking Programmes and Promotions. ”We have seen firsthand what a difference it can make to people’s lives and want to help as many people as possible to make a start so they can soon start to experience the vast health benefits of walking.”

The Ramblers has over 500 walking groups across Great Britain, is the National Centre in partnership with Macmillan Cancer Support for the national health walk scheme in England, Walking For Health; is managing the equivalent scheme in Wales, Let’s Walk Cymru and also runs the Get Walking Keeping Walking project which helps inactive people to start walking in certain cities. These are just a few of a number of activities the Ramblers is involved with to get Great Britain to its feet.

Walking has endless health benefits, especially brisk walking. It helps to combat osteoarthritis, can dramatically cut diabetes and cardiovascular disease, and can reduce the risk of certain types of cancer, just to name a few. For adults 150 minutes a week is recommended to keep in good health – which can be broken down into 5 x 30 minute walks a week. Walking is also an activity that almost anyone can do: it’s free, you don’t need any specialist gear or equipment, it’s easy to fit into busy lifestyles and you can start slowly and build up gradually.

“Through various walking programmes, the Ramblers has put building blocks in place to help people move from short, easy walks to longer more challenging walks, to help people climb from the sofa to the summit,” concludes Barnett. ”The most important thing to do is to take that first step towards a healthy, active lifestyle and get walking.”

Click here to see a summary of the report.

Image: Ft-nrw