Walking to work greatly improves fitness levels
Walking to work instead of driving in can help to reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes by around 40%, according to new research.
Researchers analysed the data of 20,000 people to examine how they travelled to work and the impact it had on their health.
Walking, cycling and using public transport were all linked to a lower risk of being overweight than driving or taking a taxi.
People who bicycled to work were around half as likely to have diabetes as those who commuted by car.
The number of Britons with diabetes rose to 3 million, for the first time, this year. Most have type 2 diabetes which is linked to being overweight and obesity.
Or why not cycle to work?Anthony Laverty, from the School of Public Health at Imperial College London, who led the research, said: “This study highlights that building physical activity into the daily routine by walking, cycling or using public transport to get to work is good for personal health.
“It demonstrates associations between active travel to work and a reduced likelihood of being overweight, having diabetes and having hypertension.”
Of the working-age adults who used private transport such as cars, motorbikes and taxis to get to work, 19 per cent were obese, compared to 15 per cent of those who walked and 13 per cent of those who cycled.
Tagged in exercise Diabetes Healthy Body weight weight issues