In 2020 experts predict that one third of the United Kingdom could be obese – Ladybarn Practice is taking steps to promote a healthy lifestyles.
11 million people are expected to be obese by 2030 resulting in the rise in diabetes, heart diseases and strokes. Ladybarn Practice in Withington is hoping to get patients active with a walk in the park.
The ‘Walk with a Doc’ health walk gives local people the opportunity to speak to a health professional about general health issues while they walk, meet new people and enjoy local green spaces. Taking place in the Ladybarn Park just behind the practice, the walking group aims to get patients out and about, chatting to GP’s on a casual level and promoting a healthier lifestyle.
GP Ellie Lister started the group as a way of bring the community together for some light exercise and general health conversation. Since then the number of people attending the walks has risen and she hopes to spread the word and get more people walking and talking.
Dr Lister said “A lot of us in the practice really want to promote a healthy lifestyle – especially exercise – but it’s sometimes hard to go through all that in such a small consultation time.”
“We set up with walking group to try and get more people outdoors; exercising, socialising and also it’s a good opportunity to talk about health promotion ideas if they want to.”
Taking place every two weeks, participants can walk at their own pace and no special gear is needed, just a pair of comfortable shoes.
Buzz Health and Wellbeing Service worker Johnson Liu said: “It’s a very creative and quirky way of making a health walk slightly different. To be able to have the chance to walk with a doctor and have those general conversations about making health improvement and just as an opportunity for GP’s to be closer to their patients and build relationships with their patients.”
Great to see so many faces at Walk with a Doc today! Find out when the next walk is here: https://t.co/pASyc0ods7 pic.twitter.com/Q3ZhVmX5TO
— @buzzmanc (@buzzmanc) December 7, 2017
The Walk With a Doc trend started in Columbus, Ohio in 2005 and has now expanded across North America, Europe and Asia. Their aim is to encourage healthy physical activity in people of all ages and decrease the risk of health problems.
Regular walking has been shown to reduce the risk of chronic illness, such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, asthma, stroke and some cancers. According to Dr. David Sabgir, cardiologist and founder of Walk With a Doc there are over 40 diseases that walking either prevents or treats.
One brisk walk a day is enough to cut the risk of early death by as much as 15 per cent, according to Public Health England. Walking is simple, free and one of the easiest ways to get more active, lose weight and become healthier while enjoying Ladybarn Park.
To find out when the next Walk With a Doc is taking place at Ladybarn Park visit http://walkwithadoc.org/our-locations/manchester-uk/
Want to get involved in Walk With a Doc? Why not get touch with your local GP’s or organise your own walking group with the NHS Buzz team.
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