Ayomide Awe
Medical experts have advised Nigerians to walk for at least 30 minutes daily, amounting to 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise weekly, to improve overall health and prevent life-threatening conditions like cancer, stroke, and cardiovascular diseases.
This recommendation was made on Saturday during a 6km Endurance Walk in Abeokuta, organized by the Physiotherapy Department of the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Idi-Aba, Abeokuta, to commemorate the 2024 World Walk Day.
The global event, marked annually on October 5, was themed “Walk More, Stress Less” this year.
Participants, including hospital staff, journalists and broadcasters and members of the public, embarked on the walk from Isale-Igbein to FMC Abeokuta.
PLATFORM TIMES reports that the initiative sought to raise awareness about the health benefits of walking and encourage people to make it a regular part of their routine.
Speaking after the walk, Dr. Adekunle Adediran, Head of Clinical Services at FMC Abeokuta, who represented the Medical Director ,FMCA, Prof. Musa Adewale-Olomu, highlighted the significance of walking as a simple, low-risk, yet highly impactful form of exercise.
He emphasized that regular walking can enhance cardiovascular health, aid digestion, improve mood, and reduce the risk of obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and cancer.
“Walking is not just a basic activity; it is a critical exercise that helps the heart function more efficiently, supports digestion and food absorption, and strengthens the joints and muscles,” Adediran said.
“It elevates mood and significantly reduces the incidence of obesity and cardiovascular diseases, including hypertension, diabetes, and stroke. Regular walking can also lower the risk of various forms of cancer.
“Adediran reiterated the World Health Organization’s (WHO) recommendation of 150 minutes of walking per week, translating to 30 minutes of walking at least five times a week.
He emphasized that this minimum level of physical activity can contribute significantly to overall well-being for children, adults, and the elderly alike.
“Walking is accessible to everyone, regardless of age or fitness level,” he added.
“It is a form of exercise that carries minimal risk but offers substantial health benefits. We encourage the public to integrate walking into their daily lives for a healthier future.”
Dr. Rahman Lateef,Head of the Physiotherapy Department at FMC Abeokuta, also spoke on the importance of physical activity.
He noted that regular walking promotes heart health by improving blood circulation and supports mental wellness by reducing stress.
“Physical activity is vital for everyone, and walking is one of the simplest and most effective ways to stay active. It may seem like a minor task, but it can make a huge difference in overall health,” Lateef stated.
“The theme ‘Walk More, Stress Less’ reminds us that walking can relieve stress while improving physical fitness.
Our aim is to spread awareness of this easy-to-adopt lifestyle change.”Lateef further explained that the hospital has been consistent in its efforts to promote physical activity through its regular exercise programs held twice weekly.
“We’ve created a platform since 2020 where we engage in aerobic exercises every Wednesday and Saturday.
“This initiative is part of our campaign to increase the public’s awareness of the importance of physical activity,” he said.
According to the WHO, physical inactivity is one of the leading risk factors for global mortality.
Walking, as one of the simplest forms of physical activity, can help combat this issue by promoting a healthy, active lifestyle for individuals of all ages.
The walkathon in Abeokuta saw participation from various hospital departments, and the event also featured discussions on the health benefits of regular exercise, with experts encouraging the public to adopt walking as a daily habit to promote long-term health and prevent non-communicable diseases.
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