Walking: the zero-cost exercise

New Delhi, Apr 11 (UNI) With ''Urbanism and Healthy Living'' forming the theme of World Health Week 2010, doctors reiterate their advise to make walking, 'the zero-cost exercise', as the fitness mantra.

Often known as the best heart medicine, walking has always been considered the simplest positive change one can make to effectively improve his or her heart health.

''People residing in metropolitan cities often undermine their health due to busy lifestyle and hectic work schedules.

They are not able to take out time for proper exercise. So, walking comes to the rescue,'' Dr Ravindra L Kulkarni, an interventional cardiologist and founder Director of Just For Hearts, said today.

The Just For Hearts is an organisation that aims at spreading the consciousness for a healthy life and a healthy heart.

He said every individual should walk for at least 30 minutes each day. ''A majority of people are becoming obese these days. Walking helps in burning calories. It is a zero-cost exercise,'' Dr Kulkarni, who was awarded Advanced Fellowship in Complex Percutaneous Coronary Interventions from University of Torino in Italy, said.

According to studies, every hour of physical activity can add up to two-hours to ones life expectancy. It can help a person not only reduce the risk of coronary heart disease but improve blood pressure and blood sugar levels, maintain body
weight, enhance mental well-being, reduce the risk of osteoporosis, breast and colon cancer and diabetes also, among others.

Meanwhile, the Indian Medical Association and the Art of Living marked the week's beginning by organising a walk for ''Healthy Cities - Hygienic Habits''.

Many people involving medical fraternity, school and college students, NGOs and local government participated in the walk from India Gate Children's Park to Amar Jawan Jyoti at 0700 hrs.

''Cultivating hygienic habits among people is most important in the present era. It does not require any hard efforts, but commitment, education and awareness,'' Sayantan Sinha, president of Rotary Club of Delhi South Metropolitan,
said.

Various members of the club, including people from all age groups, had participated in the walkathon.