Starting a Walking Program

A survey conducted by Peter D. Hart Research Associates found that 57% of working adults in the United States are interested in getting more exercise than they currently do. More than a third of the working-age population in the United States is at risk for chronic illnesses due to physical inactivity and the nation’s obesity epidemic. The estimated cost of obesity and overweight related health conditions is $117 billion per year. Just three chronic conditions, asthma, diabetes and hypertension, are associated with 164 million lost work days per year at a cost to employers of $30 billion (from Reuters).

According to the American Heart Association, promoting physical fitness with a focus on walking makes good sense because it’s accessible, free and has the lowest dropout rate of any type of exercise. Walking is an activity most anyone can engage in with numerous associated health benefits.

Nearly half of today’s workforce is at least 40 years old and the number of workers age 55- plus will increase by 42% in six years. A Wichita State University study found that a work-based physical activity program can be a useful tool to improve the activity level and body composition of older women. Following a 25-week intervention, older women increased the number of daily steps, and had measurable decreases in the ratios of BMI and body fat.

People who, regardless of gender, participate in a walking program (especially pedometer-based programs) can be expected to lose a modest amount of weight even without changing their diet, with more weight loss the longer they stick with the program. Participants in pedometer-based walking programs can expect to lose about five pounds over a year. Couple this with changes in diet and the losses become greater and more sustainable. (Read more…)

Getting a Program Started

• Get employees involved in the planning stages and keep them engaged
  
• Encourage walking and support active choices with corporate policies
• Provide a healthy workplace via infrastructure improvements (ie, walking routes, shower facilities)
• Create flexible time or built-in walking breaks
• Provide the means to track progress (pedometers, walking journals, online resources)
• Provide incentives like time-off for reaching walking goals
• Create healthy competition among teams or departments

Additional Information:

• Key Components of a Workplace Walking Program, from WalkBC.ca, a joint initiative between the Heart & Stroke Foundation of BC & Yukon and the BC Recreation & Parks Association.
• America’s Walking, PBS fitness, travel and lifestyle TV series that offers information and inspiration for those who want to start a daily walking habit and live a more active life.