The results of yet another study are in.* And the conclusion is that you'll trim your waistline and decrease your risk of metabolic syndrome - an increasingly common condition that is linked to obesity and a sedentary lifestyle - by by doing a brisk 30-minute walk 6 days a week, even if you don't make any dietary changes. So if people can find a way to get in a little bit of walking each day, perhaps by choosing to walk instead of driving on an occasional trip, they can increase their health.
In a story by Reuters (Walking Packs Huge Health Punch, Study Confirms, December 17, 2007; Reuters) we learn:
"...about one quarter of all U.S. adults have metabolic syndrome -- a cluster of risk factors that raise the odds of developing heart disease, diabetes and stroke. To be diagnosed with metabolic syndrome, a person must have at least three of these five risk factors -- a large waistline, high blood pressure, high levels of harmful triglycerides, low levels of "good" HDL cholesterol, and high blood sugar -- and according to many studies, a growing number of people have these problems.
The Duke University study, funded by the National Institutes of Health and just released in the American Journal of Cardiology says that there's a significant decline in the prevalence of the syndrome with consistent, moderate exercise. Says a Duke University Researcher: "It's also encouraging news for sedentary, middle-aged adults who want to improve their health. It means they don't have to go out running 4 or 5 days a week; they can get significant health benefits by simply walking around the neighborhood after dinner every night."
To help figure out how you can fit in 30 minutes of walking a day, visit Arlington's Car-Free Diet or WALKArlington.com.
*Related Posts:
- Coincidence or Conspiracy?, by Lauren Hassel; November 9, 2007
- Is Sprawl Contributing to America's Health Problems?, by Chris Hamilton; November 3, 2007
Chris Hamilton is the Commuter Services Chief for Arlington County, manager of CommuterPageBlog and a biking/Metro commuter from Rosemont in Alexandria.
Comments