Walking: 'a simple route to a better lifestyle'

Outdoor industry bosses today launched a campaign they said could add four years to people’s lives.

The long-touted Britain on Foot kicked off today with an official photocall in London, backed by parliamentarians and outdoor organisations.

The campaign has been devised by the trade body the Outdoor Industries Association with the aim, it said, of getting a million currently inactive people engaged in outdoor activities, leading to healthy, happier, longer lives.

The OIA said a study by the Harvard School of Public Health found that doing 150 minutes of light exercise a week, such as five 30-minute walks, can extend the average life span by more than four years, with significant increases in life expectancy also recorded in those currently suffering from serious illnesses, such as cancer.

It added that poor cardio-respiratory fitness has been shown by the British Journal of Sports Medicine to account for more than 15 per cent of early deaths in adults – more than diabetes, obesity and high cholesterol combined.

A survey by the Ramblers, who are backing Britain on Foot, this week revealed a quarter of Britons walk no more than an hour a week, and 43 per cent spend less than two hours a week walking.

OIA chief executive Andrew Denton said: “Britain on Foot has huge potential and can make a real difference to the lives of people in the UK.

“Walking, along with many other outdoor activities, is such a simple route to a better lifestyle and it’s so easy to get started.

“This campaign will make it even easier, offering inspiration, ideas and practical support that will help get one million more people enjoying the outdoors and leading healthier, happier lives in the process.

“This campaign has already generated a huge amount of goodwill and practical support from a wide range of national and regional organisations, along with many outdoor businesses and high profile individuals.

Launching Britain on Foot are, from left, Andrew McLaughlin of the National Trust; MP David Rutley; Benedict Southworth of the Ramblers; Andrew Denton, OIA; Brian Smith, HF Holidays; James Beresford, Visit England.

“This clearly demonstrates a broad consensus that understands that Britain on Foot can make a massive positive impact to the people of the UK, driving real change which will see Britain’s great outdoors become a crucible of good health and wellbeing, as well as a wonderful environment to experience and enjoy.”

Benedict Southworth, Ramblers chief executive said: “We want people all over Britain to join the walking revolution and take their first steps towards a healthier and happier lifestyle. We’ve seen so many different people benefit from regular walking and we know it can make a positive impact on people’s lives.”

Carey Davies, the British Mountaineering Council’s hillwalking development officer added: “Britain on Foot represents a simple but powerful idea: that if people make the small step of starting walking it will open the way for huge positive changes in their lives, improving their individual health and wellbeing and enriching the fabric of our nation as a whole.

“In many ways Britain is already a nation of walkers. It is criss-crossed by an unrivalled 150,000-mile network of footpaths, we have big and bold mountains that are some of the most beautiful in the world, and we have a vibrant outdoors culture going back centuries.

“But there is still a lot more that can be done. Many people, particularly in urban areas, don’t realise how beneficial outdoor activity can be or how accessible the countryside is for walking and climbing.

“The BMC has supported Britain on Foot from the start as we want to see more people benefiting from the huge mental and physical rewards gained from actively exploring our mountains and countryside.

“A Britain on its feet is a better Britain for all of us.”

The Department of Health and Department of Culture Media and have voiced their support for the campaign, which is also backed by Visit England and Change4Life.