Walking in your community: the benefits

Walking has a lot of benefits in terms of health and fitness, safety and cost. It also brings familiarity with your community and reduces traffic congestion.

Humans were made to walk. Walking is one of the most healthy, environmentally sound, safe, cheap, sustainable and enjoyable means we have of getting about.

Walking:

• Is good for your health – it increases your heart rate and circulation, strengthens your muscles, prevents osteoporosis, burns calories and helps you reduce weight.
• Is environmentally friendly – more people walking rather than driving helps keep New Zealand clean and green.
• Is safe – there is less risk of your being injured or causing injury, and more people walking makes communities safer too.
• Is cheap – you don’t need any special equipment, and the only fuel you require is a good meal.
• Reduces road congestion – more people walking means fewer cars on the road.
• Is fun – you have more opportunity to take in the view and explore the surroundings you pass through on your way to your destination.

Yet, too often, we jump into the car to drive to where we need to go, regardless of distance and convenience. Our children spend hours each week sitting in cars being driven to and from school and other destinations.

Health benefits of walking

The health benefits of walking include:

• reduced risk of cardiovascular disease (stroke, coronary heart disease, high blood pressure)
• reduced risk of some cancers
• reduced risk of Type 2 diabetes
• reduced risk of osteoarthritis and osteoporosis
• improved mental health.

Walking reduces obesity. An 80-kilogram person walking at a moderate pace expends approximately 265 calories an hour.

It is recommended that adults walk 10,000 steps per day, which is about 6.5 kilometres. (Taller people will walk further because their stride is longer.)

Page created: 27 February 2008