Only 13% of those questioned by the Ramblers’ Association (RA) in a GB-wide walking survey were advised by a doctor to exercise more, even though more than half of the British population are overweight or obese.
The RA, the national walking charity, has welcomed recent health service plans to spend more on promoting physical activity, including walking, but says these figures show there is still a long way to go on the ground, and still more resources will be needed to combat Britain’s couch potato culture.
Half of people surveyed said walking reduced their trips to the doctor. The RA wants doctors to prescribe exercise more readily. Lack of exercise is a major contributing cause of obesity, diabetes and heart disease and also increases the likelihood of developing cancer. Modern inactive lifestyles are costing the NHS billions in treatment and care. According to the National Audit Office, by 2010 the cost of treating obesity and related illnesses in England will be £3.6 billion.
69% of those surveyed said that walking helped with stress, depression, anxiety and problem solving. Only 5% of those surveyed said they go to a gym regularly.
Nick Milton, Director of Marketing and Communications at the RA, said: "Walking is one of the best forms of exercise and it can make a major contribution to a healthy lifestyle. I would hope that medical practitioners will take serious note of this survey as they are clearly not prescribing walking as much as they could. Given the number of people who are overweight in this country and the cost to the NHS of tackling the symptoms of obesity, doctors need to be prescribing walking a lot more if we are to become a healthier nation."
Walking, the cheapest, most natural and most convenient way to keep fit, is ideal for people starting to exercise after years of inactivity or who have had health problems. As little as 30 minutes of brisk walking per day can bring major benefits to health.
The poll also found that Monday is our least favourite day to go walking. Darwin, Wainwright and Jesus were chosen as preferred walking companions from history and Hitler, Margaret Thatcher and Tony Blair were selected as our least favourite walking chums. Alfie Moon of EastEnders aks Shane Richie was voted the country's favourite walking companion from a British soap.
