Back'Desk potatoes' urged to get walking

To mark the start of national Walk to Work Week (26-30 April), ‘desk potatoes’ are being urged to change their unhealthy habits and give walking a go for the benefit of their health.

Research collated by national charity Living Streets, who run the Walking Works campaign, has highlighted the dangers of leading an inactive work life, with only 24% of men and 11% of women doing at least 30 minutes of moderate activity at work each day.[1]

The health risks associated with leading a sedentary lifestyle are often well documented, but recent statistics show that its women who are most at risk.  60% of women are currently classified as being ‘unfit’[2] and 38% of deaths from heart disease in women is associated with a lack of physical activity[3]. According to the Chief Medical Officer, 30 minutes of walking at a moderate pace can improve your health, and scientists have also found that women who walk for two or more hours a week, especially at a brisk pace, significantly reduce their risk of having a stroke than those who do not walk.[4]

During Walk to Work Week, people up and down the country will be urged to give walking a go, whether it’s to or from work, or during their working day. As work stress levels increase, we’ve turned into a nation glued to our swivel chairs with only a trip to the coffee machine to stretch our legs. Even taking a short break during lunch breaks is uncommon, with 49% of office workers admitting to eating ‘al desko’ three times a week or more, without so much as a breath of fresh air during their working day[5].

Tony Armstrong, Chief Executive of Living Streets said:

“Incorporating walking into your daily routine is an excellent way to get active. As it stands, a mere 24% of office workers manage 15 minutes walking as part of their commute to and from work combined[6], so we are targeting all those desk potatoes who could do a bit more exercise, but don’t!

“Getting active doesn’t have to be painful.  Rather than costly gym sessions, or marathon running attempts, it can be as simple as stepping outside for a lunchtime stroll, or getting off the bus a few stops earlier on your way into the office.  Don’t sit in a boring meeting room with colleagues; get everyone moving in a walking meeting.  That time spent walking, whether on your own or with colleagues is all contributing to you meeting the Government’s recommendation of 30 minutes of exercise a day.

“We are urging everyone to give it a go during Walk to Work Week this year. We think you’ll be amazed at what a difference a short blast of fresh air can do for you, not just to improve your physical health, but to put you in a great mood and better able to survive the stresses of the working day.”

Walking Works, a Living Streets campaign funded by the Big Lottery Fund, aims to change low levels of inactivity.  www.walkingworks.org.uk is full of ideas on how to fit walking into your life, as well as how to take part in National Walk to Work Week.

To find out more about Walk to Work and to register to take part, please visit www.walkingworks.org.uk/walk-to-work-week.

 

Notes to editors

For any media enquiries, please contact Anna Powell, Press Officer at anna.powell@livingstreets.org.uk, tel: 020 7377 4914. For any out of hours press enquires, please call 07545 209865

• 69% of commuting trips are made by car, with only 11% made on foot. (Department for Transport)
• 38% of deaths from heart disease in women are associated with lack of physical activity, 47% are linked to high cholesterol, and 6% are caused by being very overweight. (NHS)
• Over a third of respondents (37%) to our Living Streets survey say that they feel pressurised to stay at their desks for the majority of the day
• Men are more likely to have desk lunches than women, with 57% of men having a desk lunch 3 times a week or more in comparison to 41% of women
• 53% of those who spend between 6 and 8 hours at their desk at work have been reduced to tears as a result of stress
• Only 7% of people get out walking for at least 15 minutes during their lunch break each working day

Further Information

Living Streets’ national Walking Works campaign is part of a portfolio of projects being delivered by Travel Actively, a consortium of leading walking, cycling and health organisations committed to providing opportunities for 1.8 million people to become physically active through active travel by 2012.

The consortium is funded with more than £19.9m from the Big Lottery Fund's Well-being programme, which provides funding to support the development of healthier lifestyles and to improve well-being. 

Consortium partners are British Cycling, CTC, Campaign for Better Transport, Cycling England, Living Streets, London Cycling Campaign, the National Heart Forum, the National Obesity Forum, the Ramblers, Sustrans and Walk England.

The Big Lottery Fund has been rolling out grants to health, education, environment and charitable causes across the UK since its inception in June 2004.  It was established by Parliament on 1 December 2006.  Full details of the work of the Big Lottery Fund, its programmes and awards are available on the website: www.biglotteryfund.org.uk

Living Streets is the national charity that stands up for pedestrians. With our supporters we work to create safe, attractive and enjoyable streets, where people want to walk.

We have been the national voice for pedestrians throughout our 80 year history.  In the early years, our campaigning led to the introduction of the driving test, pedestrian crossings and 30mph speed limits.  Since then our ambition has grown.  Today we influence decision makers nationally and locally, run successful projects to encourage people to walk, and provide specialist consultancy services to help reduce congestion and carbon emissions, improve public health, and make sure every community can enjoy vibrant streets and public spaces.

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Published on: 26/04/2010

Anna Tautz

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