SEPTEMBER 2018: Diabetes Australia Walk to Work Day is just a month away and organisers are encouraging Australians to declare: "No more excuses!”.
With one Australian diagnosed with type 2 diabetes every eight minutes there has never been a better time to get walking and start your path to a healthier workplace and a healthier you.
Now in its 20th year, Walk to Work Day encourages employers and employees to build walking into their everyday lives – not just on Friday 5 October 2018, but every day.
Walking meetings, walking to and from work, taking a walk at lunchtime, and using the stairs instead of the escalator or elevator are just some of the ways you can start.
Diabetes Australia CEO Professor Greg Johnson said while family history and cultural background play a strong role in an individual’s risk of developing type 2 diabetes - the risk is greatly increased if people are inactive, sedentary or overweight.
"With one Australian diagnosed with type 2 diabetes every 8 minutes, diabetes has a massive impact on Australia’s health system. Walking is one of the best ways people can incorporate more walking into their lives and reduce their risk of developing type 2 diabetes. It can also help people who have type 2 diabetes to manage their condition,” he said.
Prof Johnson said employers had an important role to play in encouraging their staff to build walking into their daily routine.
"Walking can make employees more productive, reduce stress and the improvement in general health can cut rates of absenteeism,” he said
Pedestrian Council Chairman Harold Scruby said that taking positive steps to reduce sedentary behaviour and prevent type 2 diabetes can also reduce other risk factors like stroke, heart disease and various types of cancer.
"Let’s not make any more excuses - no more ‘due to a previous engagement’. Most of us can walk at least 1km to and from work, set the alarm 30 minutes earlier and create a great example for all Australians,” he said.
"Regular walking helps relieve feelings of depression or anxiety and improves our environment by reducing car dependency and traffic jams - best of all walking is free!”
To support and participate in Diabetes Australia Walk to Work Day, all work places are encouraged to raise awareness for Diabetes Australia. For more information, please visit walk.com.au.
| facebook.com/walktoworkday | facebook.com/DiabetesAus | |
| @w2wd | @DiabetesAus | |
| @wtwd | @diabetes_australia | |
| Official hashtag | #wtwd | #donatefordiabetes |