Life insurance customers looking to improve their health without breaking the bank appear to be taking up more free forms of exercise.
New research from PruHealth has shown that 27 per cent of Brits are doing more walking and running in order to bolster their fitness, which is markedly higher than the 14 per cent who did the same in 2008.
According to the PruHealth customer Fitbug pedometer data, adults walked 9,479 steps in summer 2011, as well as 8,845 steps in the winter of the same year.
Dr Katie Tryon, head of clinical vitality at PruHealth – a private medical insurance provider, launched in the UK in 2004 – noted: “The health benefits of walking span across several different areas of our wellbeing including physical, mental and social wellbeing.”
She explained that by walking briskly for 30 minutes every day, individuals can maintain a healthy weight, boost their self-esteem, lessen coronary heart disease risk and reduce depression and anxiety symptoms.
In addition, walking is an activity that can be enjoyed alone or serve as an opportunity to catch up with friends, Dr Tryon added.