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W is for Walking
On a recent walk to the newsagent to pick up my paper, I saw an example of the problem our society is facing in achieving the required amount of physical activity. As I walked past the house of one of my wealthier neighbours, I watched as he got into his car, drove down his driveway to the letterbox, picked up the newspaper, got back into the car, and reversed back to the house. This is only one (extreme) example of the poor activity decisions many of us make everyday.
Recent research has shown that during the last quarter century the average American consumed 4% less calories, 11% less fat, and displayed no change in exercise behaviour. During the same time period the prevalence of overweight increased by 33%. Why are they gaining weight when eating less, yet exercising the same amount?
Called the American Paradox, this seemingly conflicting message reflects the drastic decreased in ‘incidental’ physical activity and its effects on the energy balance. There has been a significant decline in the amount of incidental physical activity – as opposed to goal-directed exercise – that we are required to do, or choose to do, in our daily lives. As my neighbour showed, Australia is likely not far behind the U.S. in the choices we make.
Walking is the only sustained aerobic activity that is common in the population today. Getting more people to walk more often will help the health and well being of both the individual and the community. It is estimated that an increase of 4,000 steps per day will equate to a loss of 0.2 kilograms per week for a moderately overweight person. Although this may not seem like a lot, one should remember that if you started that habit this week, within 12 months you would be over 10 kilos lighter!
Best wishes for those extra 4,000 steps a day!
Written by Professor Kerry Mummery
College of Health and Human Services
CQUniversity
