Walking to Work Reduces Risk of Diabetes, High Blood Pressure

In that physical inactivity is a growing public health threat in modernized countries, Anthony A. Laverty, from Imperial College London (United Kingdom), and colleagues studied how various health indicators correlated to how people get to work.  Utilizing data from the Understanding Society survey, involving over 20,000 residents of the United Kingdom., the team found that cycling, walking, and using public transport were all associated with lower risk of being overweight than driving or taking a taxi. People who walk to work are 40% less likely to have diabetes, and also 17% less likely to have high blood pressure. Cyclists were around half as likely to have diabetes as drivers.  The study authors urge that: “The protective association between active travel and cardiovascular risk demonstrated in this nationally representative study adds to growing evidence that concerted policy focus in this area may benefit population health.”