BlueCross BlueShield of North Carolina

Walking is popular, effective—and free

Walking is Americans’ favorite form of exercise—and surveys show we’re eager to do even more of it. People say they want walkable commutes, and they support safety improvements that will make it easier for adults and children to spend more time on their feet. But are people backing up those opinions with action? Not always.

Here in North Carolina, almost one-quarter of adults are considered obese, meaning they’re more than 30 pounds over their ideal weight. Fewer than 2 percent of North Carolinians walk to work, and almost two-thirds say they aren’t physically active. Our infrastructure isn’t helping—less than 1 percent of our state’s federal transportation funds are spent on facilities for walkers and cyclists.

But walking is a form of exercise proven to help improve health. If you’ve got a workforce made up of North Carolinians, then you probably have some of our state’s sedentary, overweight people under your roof. Walking is an easy solution they should be encouraged to try.

Adapted from Be Active North Carolina’s Worksite Walking Guide. For more information, please visit http://www.beactivenc.org/programs/be_active_worksites.cfm.