Research Supports Walking.
Driving to work can contribute to obesity and catching public transport improves health...
Two separate studies provide further evidence why sustainable transport is the better choice.
Those who drive to work are 13 percent more likely to be overweight or obese than those who walk, cycle or use public transport, regardless of their income level, asserts an Australian study to be published in the International Journal of Obesity.
The NSW study, based on a survey of 6810 employed people, was the first in the world to examine the effects of different types of commuting on weight. It revealed that even short, regular car trips significantly reduced people's opportunity to get sufficient exercise in the course of their working week. The further people have to drive each day the greater their weight.
Yet, walking to and from public transport can help physically inactive populations attain the recommended level of daily physical activity, according to a United States research into travel choice and healthy levels of physical activity.
"Americans who use transit spend a median of 19 minutes daily walking to and from transit (and) 29 percent achieve 30 minutes (or more) of physical activity per day solely by walking to and from transit," states the report from the Centre for Disease Control. Increasing access to public transport may help promote and maintain active lifestyles, it concludes.
Australian Authorities, like their American counterparts, recommend 30 minutes a day of moderate exercise to improve health and reduce the risk of developing conditions such as heart disease. Walking at least 10,000 steps each day helps many achieve this goal..
Further information on this research can be found at these web links:
Driving to Work
Catching Public Transport
Those who wish to keep track of the steps they walk each each day are invited to join the TravelSmart WalkSmart program. All you need is a pedometer and an email address.
Two separate studies provide further evidence why sustainable transport is the better choice.
Those who drive to work are 13 percent more likely to be overweight or obese than those who walk, cycle or use public transport, regardless of their income level, asserts an Australian study to be published in the International Journal of Obesity.
The NSW study, based on a survey of 6810 employed people, was the first in the world to examine the effects of different types of commuting on weight. It revealed that even short, regular car trips significantly reduced people's opportunity to get sufficient exercise in the course of their working week. The further people have to drive each day the greater their weight.
Yet, walking to and from public transport can help physically inactive populations attain the recommended level of daily physical activity, according to a United States research into travel choice and healthy levels of physical activity.
"Americans who use transit spend a median of 19 minutes daily walking to and from transit (and) 29 percent achieve 30 minutes (or more) of physical activity per day solely by walking to and from transit," states the report from the Centre for Disease Control. Increasing access to public transport may help promote and maintain active lifestyles, it concludes.
Australian Authorities, like their American counterparts, recommend 30 minutes a day of moderate exercise to improve health and reduce the risk of developing conditions such as heart disease. Walking at least 10,000 steps each day helps many achieve this goal..
Further information on this research can be found at these web links:
Driving to Work
Catching Public Transport
Those who wish to keep track of the steps they walk each each day are invited to join the TravelSmart WalkSmart program. All you need is a pedometer and an email address.
