A guided walking program in urban environment for an healthy, active community: the experience of the University of Ferrara

Background. The health benefits of physical activity are well known. Improving participation in health-enhancing physical activity is a public health issue of urgent concern. The aim of our project was to promote the practice of physical activity in sedentary adult through a guided walking program and to check its long-term maintenance. Methods. 650 sedentary subjects (442 women, 208 men) were admitted to the project. Body weight, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and walking speed were determined at enrollment and redetermined after 1 year in the subjects completing the project. Daily groups of guided walking were organized in the urban environment of the city of Ferrara in Italy. Results. In the 326 subjects completing the project, highly significant reduction in body weight, BMI, waist circumference, systolic and diastolic blood pressure and increase in walking speed were documented. Habit to walk was verified in the 326 finishers after 16 months and 7 years from the end of the walking program. An active lifestyle was maintained by the 79% and 69% of the participants respectively. Conclusion. Guided walking was followed by highly significant reduction in risk factors for cardiovascular diseases. A high percentage of previously sedentary adults enrolled kept the habit of walking up to seven years after the end of the project, indicating that guided walking programs may be effective in permanently changing lifestyle.