New Delhi, December 20 (IANS). A research has revealed that by walking speed it can be determined whether a person has any health problem due to obesity.
A study published in the Scientific Reports journal has revealed that walking at a brisk pace can prevent metabolic disease related diseases in obese people. Along with helping in increasing mobility, it can also indicate poor health. Previous studies have suggested that slow walking increases the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases and mortality in the elderly.
The study, conducted by researchers at Doshisha University in Japan, explored the association between walking speed and metabolic disease in obese individuals. The findings suggest that assessing how a person perceives their walking speed compared to their peers is useful. It can become an important tool for health.
University professor Kojiro Ishii said, “This research makes it clear that if a person suffering from obesity and is surrounded by metabolic diseases, if he keeps his walking speed high, he is less likely to develop high blood pressure, diabetes and dyslipidemia.”
According to studies, individuals who walk faster may be more fit and have less risk of metabolic diseases.
The team said that brisk walking maintains the cardiovascular system and also reduces the levels of inflammation and oxidative stress, which are two major causes of metabolic diseases.
The study assessed the walking speed of 8,578 individuals with obesity, 9,626 individuals with high waist circumference and 6,742 individuals who met both criteria.
The results showed that those who walked briskly had a significantly lower risk of diabetes (30 percent less) and small but significant reductions in the risk of hypertension and dyslipidemia.
“Encouraging brisk walking may be a useful personal behavior that may help prevent metabolic diseases,” Dr. Ishii said. It especially works on obese people.
–IANS
MKS/KR
