Before he became Prime Minister, Boris Johnson used to be a regular cycle commuter. (Photo by Dan ... [+]
Getty ImagesU.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson is to tell overweight Britons they need to increase their exertion levels to better fight against infection from the novel coronavirus. Being obese or overweight puts people at greater risk of serious illness or death from COVID-19, experts have said this week. Cycling to work is a key way of losing weight, Johnson will advise.
Johnson’s recommendation to cycle is part of a new government strategy to reduce the impact of the virus on the NHS, and will include bans on advertising junk food to children as well as forcing restaurants to display calorie counts on menus.
“Active travel”—such as walking and cycling—can play an important role in reducing obesity levels, with a recent comprehensive study showing that, compared to driving, cycling was shown to cause a weight loss of 0.75kg for the average person.
Daily bicycle travel leads to the lowest body mass index, according to the study which was conducted in seven European cities.
The analysis of data from seven European cities—part of the European Commission funded Physical Activity through Sustainable Transport Approaches (PASTA) project—suggested that daily cyclists weigh less than their non-active counterparts. The research was led by Hasselt University and the Flemish Institute for Technological Research, and included researchers from Imperial College London.
In May, Johnson told the U.K. parliament that the near future “should be a new golden age for cycling.”
He made his comments during Prime Minister’s question time and was answering a question from former transport secretary Therese Villiers who asked whether the Prime Minister would be seeking assurances from London Mayor Sadiq Khan that the London Underground tube service would soon be open to use for all who wanted to use it and not just key workers.
A cyclist makes a hand gesture to the then Mayor of London Boris Johnson as he cycles over Vauxhall ... [+]
Getty Images“A crucial part of our success now in getting transport to run safely will be running a bigger and more expansive tube service so that people can observe social distancing,” replied Johnson.
Unbidden, Johnson added that “there will be a huge amount of planning going to helping people to get to work other than by mass transit and this should be a new golden age for cycling.”
The government later rolled out a £2-billion program to boost bicycling and walking.
Before becoming prime minister, Johnson regularly cycled in London while he was Mayor.
Public Health England (PHE) said on July 25 that excess weight puts people at greater risk of needing hospital admission or intensive care.
PHE chief nutritionist Dr Alison Tedstone said that being overweight or obese puts people at greater risk of serious illness or death from Covid-19, as well as from many other life-threatening diseases.
"Losing weight can bring huge benefits for health,” she said, “and may also help protect against the health risks of COVID-19.”
She added: “The case for action on obesity has never been stronger.”
The U.K. has one of the highest levels of obesity in Europe, with two-thirds of adults reported as being obese or overweight.
The Link LonkJuly 26, 2020 at 05:48AM
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Fight Coronavirus By Bicycling To Work, Boris Johnson To Tell Brits - Forbes
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