Although walking is the most popular form of exercise for most adults, little research has documented the effect of walking on weight. Researchers at University of North Carolina reported a new study following 4,995 men and women over 15 years found that regular walking is an effective way to counter the added pounds as we age.
Participants ranged in age from 18 to 30 at the study’s inception, and were closely monitored over the 15 year period. The more people walked, the better their chance to keep the weight off, however, two hours of walking was better than none (20 minutes six days per week); and four hours per week was better (~35 minutes daily).
Walking paid the biggest dividends for those who weighed the most at the start of the study. Women in the heaviest group who put in a half-hour of walking daily, averaged a 17.6 pounds less weight gain over 15 years compared with non-walking women.
Source: Tufts University Health & Nutrition Letter, March 2009
Lynda S. Johnson, M.S., R.D.
Nutrition & Health Education Specialist
University of Missouri Extension
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