Natural England

Thousands of people in poor health could be prescribed a large dose of fresh air and a walk in the park next time they visit their GP surgery.

The prescription for healthy living is being issued, where safe and practical, under the National Step-O-Meter Programme, delivered by Natural England (which runs a health campaign to reconnect people with the natural environment) as a contribution to the government effort to tackle the nation’s ailing health.

Health practitioners across Leicestershire treating people with Type 2 diabetes, coronary heart disease and obesity are loaning out pedometers, prescribing a certain number of steps per day and encouraging them to join walking groups.

Brisk walking helps to manage weight, reduce blood pressure, improve heart and lung capacity and it benefits the immune system.

Just one-third of the 3.5m adults in the East Midlands meet the recommended level of daily physical activity, while 67% of adults are either overweight or obese.

NSP manager, Mitch Counsell, said: “More and more of us are leading sedentary lives and this is having a significant impact on the rise in cardio-vascular diseases, coronary heart disease, Type 2 diabetes and obesity.

“People don’t have to hit the gym or enjoy team sports to keep fit. For most of us, the opportunity is right on our doorstep – in the local park, recreation ground or woodland and along canal paths, footpaths and bridleways across the region.”

“Every step that we take in the course of our day-to-day activity counts towards better health. The optimum target is 10,000 steps each day yet the average adult is es

timated to take about 4,000. A simple walk can significantly increase that number.”

The Department of Health in its 2004 Choosing Health White Paper committed to working with Natural England to deliver the effective use of pedometers in clinical practice.

The East Midlands Regional Director of Public Health, Dr David Walker, said: “Improving mental health and well-being and tackling obesity are two of the biggest health priorities for the region. Increasing levels of physical activity and supporting healthy lifestyles are absolutely key in addressing these issues.”

Every Primary Care Trust has been invited to take part in NSP and, so far, 24 of the 27 Primary Care Trusts in the East Midlands have signed up.*

Each participating trust has been given training for 30 frontline healthcare professionals and 300 stepometers to loan out to patients. At any one time, the Stepometer programme could help up to 8,100 people in the East Midlands take their first step towards better health at any one time.

Natural England also delivers the Walking the way to Health Initiative, which runs walking groups across the country to provide people the support they need to lead a healthy lifestyle and enjoy the natural environment.

People can find out about their local walking group at the Walking the way to Health website www.whi.org.uk or from Elizabeth Barnicott at Natural England on 01476 584794.