Going walking could save your life!

Today the Health Promotion Agency urged everyone in Northern Ireland to 'Go walking' during the summer months with a public information campaign promoting the health benefits of regular physical activity.

Research has shown that if the number of people who currently take no exercise was decreased by 5%, the number of deaths related to an inactive lifestyle would be reduced by 365 per year - one death a day. The campaign, which includes television advertising supported by a range of printed information on both walking and cycling opportunities, is aimed at those who do little or no physical activity.

Siobhan Weir, Regional Health Promotion Manager for Physical Activity said: "We're focusing on walking because we know from research that walking is an activity most people would be inclined to do if they were thinking about becoming more active. Walking is something that people can take up on their own, or with a friend, they don't have to join a gym and it can be easily incorporated into their daily routine.

Being physically active is not just about enjoying getting out and about it is also a vital part of maintaining and improving our health. It can reduce the risk of heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure and stress as well as helping to control body weight. Physical activity can also help to reduce the risk of osteoporosis with the latest research showing that hip fractures in over 45 year olds could be reduced through regular exercise by up to 50%."

To encourage people to become involved cash grants have been awarded to local groups who are providing opportunities for many people to be more active. Almost 400 organisations throughout Northern Ireland applied for grants in the Get active in the community awards scheme with over a third of the applications being successful. More than £40,000 has been given to 132 organisations with the aim of getting more people to become more active, more often.

Siobhan concluded: "Increasing the amount of physical activity you take by a little can result in a lot of serious benefits to your health. We hope the campaign will grab everyone's attention so that when the distinctive tune comes on in the summer, like it or hate it, people will respond to the message contained in the ad by getting out for a good brisk walk!"

The television advertising starts today for two weeks and will be repeated again for a further two weeks at the beginning of August.

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Notes to the editor: A range of support materials has been produced including a guide to walking and cycling events in Northern Ireland which will be available from health service facilities, local councils, community and voluntary groups from mid June. The materials are also available to download from this website.

At present seven out of ten men and eight out of ten women in Northern Ireland do not take enough physical activity to benefit their health.