Lack of brisk walking puts Devon adults at risk

Findings from Public Health England (PHE) warn that thousands of adults aged 40-60 living in Devon are putting their health at risk by not managing a brisk ten minute walk each month.

As part of their new One You physical activity campaign, Public Health England have launched their new free Active 10 app encouraging adults to take one brisk ten minute walk a day. According to PHE research, this reduces the risk of early death by 15%, and contributes to their wider physical activity guidance of 150 minutes of moderate-vigorous exercise each week.

The findings also reveal how lifestyles have changed, showing that people in the UK are 20% less active now than they were in the 1960s, and on average walk 15 miles less a year than two decades ago.

The severity of the current physical inactivity epidemic amongst adults contributes to one in six deaths in the UK and is costing the NHS over £0.9 billion per year

Research indicates that over 25% of Devon adults achieve less than 30 minutes of physical activity a week.

Councillor Roger Croad, Devon County Council’s Cabinet Member for health and wellbeing, said:  “We all have incredibly busy lives, and finding time out for exercise and leisure is increasingly difficult.  So this is great news, that through just 10 minutes of brisk walking a day we can improve our health.”

“Not everyone wants to go to the gym or pool, and people can be put off by the thought of exercise classes, but walking can be fitted into most people’s days, no special clothing or equipment is required, and it not only benefits our physical health but our mental health gets a boost too.”

Dr Jenny Harries, Deputy Medical Director at PHE, said: “Walking to the shops instead of driving or going for a brisk ten minute walk on your lunch break each day can add many healthy years to your life. The Active 10 app is a free and easy way to help anyone build more brisk walking into their daily routine.”