Ministry of Health announces March 9th as Walking Day

The Uzbek Ministry of Health announced March 9 as a Walking Day to promote healthy lifestyle among the population.

The press service of the Ministry of Health noted that the country adopted a concept and program of measures to prevent non-communicable diseases, support healthy lifestyles and increase the level of physical activity of the population for 2019-2022.

“Based on this, in order to expand the scope of work carried out to detect non-communicable diseases at early stage, to promote healthy lifestyles among the population, to maintain physical activity of citizens, the Ministry of Health declared March 9 as Walking Day,” the press service of the ministry said.

On this day, at all levels of medical institutions, central parks of cities and districts, mass walking events will be held. Representatives of a number of departments and organizations, people of different ages, will be involved in mass walking along with medical workers.

According to experts, normal walking (if you overcome at least 8 kilometers per week) reduces the risk of cardiovascular diseases by 31%, the threat of death by 32%. It can reduce the incidence of breast cancer and diabetes mellitus. In addition, walking strengthens bones and muscles, causes a decrease in blood pressure, cholesterol levels in the blood, it improves sleep, the Ministry of Health noted.

“Walking can reduce the risk of coronary heart disease, strokes, diabetes, high blood pressure, bowel cancer and osteoporosis. Scientific studies have also shown that walking, besides its physical benefits, is also beneficial for the mind, improving memory skills, learning ability, concentration and abstract reasoning, as well as ameliorating spirits. Sustained walking sessions for a minimum period of thirty to sixty minutes a day, five days a week, with the correct walking posture, reduce health risks and have various overall health benefits, such as reducing the chances of cancer, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, anxiety disorder and depression. Life expectancy is also increased even for individuals suffering from obesity or high blood pressure,” the reports reads

The Ministry of Health promises to systematically continue the work in this direction. In particular, on March 16, a walking marathon is scheduled to take place, a competition “Merry starts” – on March 23 and a bicycle ride – on March 30.