Walking and children’s health

The Chief Medical Officer has pointed out that there is a strong justification for encouraging young people to be physically active. Physical activity provides an important vehicle for play and recreation, learning physical and social skills,

developing creative intelligence and stimulating growth and fitness.  

However, there is relatively little direct evidence (compared with adults) linking physical inactivity in children with childhood health outcomes. The chronic diseases described above require long incubation periods, and children and adolescents very rarely have lifestyle-related diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, osteoporosis or cardiovascular disease.  

Promotion of physical activity and walking in childhood does have strong justification however. It:

    * Promotes healthy growth and development of the musculoskeletal and cardio-respiratory systems
    * Helps maintain energy balance and hence healthy weight
    * Lowers risk of hypertension and high cholesterol
    * Generates opportunities for social interaction, achievement and mental well-being.

Walking is an excellent activity for all of these benefits. In addition, it may be that walking patterns track better into adulthood than do sport and leisure pursuits.