* 24% of the population is obese and by 2050 60% of males and 50% of females will be obese.
* In men, 18% of social class I and 28% in social class V are obese.
* In women 10% of social class I and 25% in social class V are obese.
* The current NHS cost is £1 billion with a projection of £6.5 billion in 2050.
* The wider cost of obesity is £7 billion, rising to £45.5 billion in 2050.
Obesity is associated with diabetes, hypertension, asthma, osteoarthritis, depression and hyperlipidaemia. All of these are independently improved by regular walking.
Walking uses up about 100kCal per mile regardless of pace. Abdominal weight gain has been reported to be less than peripheral gain for women who walked >4 hours a week than women who walk less than 2 hours.
Below two hours a week walking there appears to be no weight loss.
Walking one hour a day for five days a week at 50-70% VO2 max can promote regional fat loss in the abdominal sites40. This is critical in reducing the risk of diabetes and coronary heart disease. Overall weight may change little as lean body mass increases with exercise. Brisk walking reduces BMI and body weight,and also reduces body compositionii.
Any walking will help children and young adults to maintain energy balance41. Any consistent movement of body weight by regular walking or stair-climbing will contribute to energy expenditure and may help with weight management.
Obesity is the single most common reason for GPs to refer patients for walking schemes and exercise referral schemes.
* In men, 18% of social class I and 28% in social class V are obese.
* In women 10% of social class I and 25% in social class V are obese.
* The current NHS cost is £1 billion with a projection of £6.5 billion in 2050.
* The wider cost of obesity is £7 billion, rising to £45.5 billion in 2050.
Obesity is associated with diabetes, hypertension, asthma, osteoarthritis, depression and hyperlipidaemia. All of these are independently improved by regular walking.
Walking uses up about 100kCal per mile regardless of pace. Abdominal weight gain has been reported to be less than peripheral gain for women who walked >4 hours a week than women who walk less than 2 hours.
Below two hours a week walking there appears to be no weight loss.
Walking one hour a day for five days a week at 50-70% VO2 max can promote regional fat loss in the abdominal sites40. This is critical in reducing the risk of diabetes and coronary heart disease. Overall weight may change little as lean body mass increases with exercise. Brisk walking reduces BMI and body weight,and also reduces body compositionii.
Any walking will help children and young adults to maintain energy balance41. Any consistent movement of body weight by regular walking or stair-climbing will contribute to energy expenditure and may help with weight management.
Obesity is the single most common reason for GPs to refer patients for walking schemes and exercise referral schemes.