A study by the London School of Economics (LSE) recommends to the government an 'Every step counts' policy based on findings that brisk walking generates far better health benefits when compared to other more vigorous activities for weight loss.
The UK government provides a recommendation of at least 150 minutes of weekly moderate physical activity for health and maintenance. The study by LSE, which is to be published in the journal of Risk Analysis, says however that this recommendation falls short because it does not provide any guidance on the best choices of activities to engage in for the most effective results.
Targets remain unmet such that 80% of the population continue with various weight problems and conditions. In turn, the National Health Service (NHS) is burdened with £1Billion in medical costs for the treatment of obesity cases.
Research lead Dr Grace Lordan analysed the annual Health Survey for England (HSE) from 1999 to 2012. The investigation aimed to analyse the physical activities that generated increased levels of both heartbeat and perspiration. Brisk walk, swimming, cycling, dancing, running were among such activities. Gym workout along with manual activities such as vigorous house cleaning, scrubbing floors, and chopping wood were also found to generate the same.
Walking then presents an ideal, inexpensive remedy that improves both mental and physical well-being. A daily brisk walk of at least 30 minutes has been found to yield lower BMIs and smaller waist measurements when compared to other forms of exercise. Both men and women are seen to benefit from this but, more especially, the women and those over 50.
According to a 2014 study in the US, running daily for even as little as five minutes provides the same health benefits as walking or running for longer periods. The US government's own recommendation is a weekly vigorous exercise of 75 minutes to benefit the body and mind.
