Fight coronavirus with the ‘miracle pill’ of cycling to work, Boris Johnson will tell the British

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson must tell overweight Britons that they need to increase their activity levels to better fight the new coronavirus infection. Being obese or overweight puts people at higher risk for serious illness or death from COVID-19, experts said this week. Cycling to work is a key way to lose weight and change sedentary lifestyles, Johnson will report Monday.

Family doctors, known in the UK as general practitioners, or general practitioners, will be encouraged to prescribe cycling as a way for patients to lose weight. GP surgeries may also participate in cycling incentive programs, with the possibility that some people may be paid to pedal.

Johnson is also expected to announce other cycling promotions in the week beginning July 27, with further encouragement for local authorities to install protective bike lanes.

Johnson’s recommendation to cycle is part of a new government “babysitting” strategy to reduce the impact of the virus on the NHS (prevention is cheaper than a cure) and will include bans on advertising junk food to children as well. like forcing restaurants to display calories. it has menus.

“Active travel” such as walking and cycling can play an important role in reducing obesity levels, with a recent comprehensive study showing that cycling has been shown to cause a loss compared to driving weight of 0.75 kg for the average person.

The daily bicycle trip leads to the lowest body mass index, according to the study carried out in seven European cities.

Analysis of data from seven European cities, part of the Physical Activity through Sustainable Transport Approach (PASTA) project funded by the European Commission, 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.

Speaking during a recent visit to GP surgery in East London, Johnson said:

“Obesity is one of the real comorbidity factors. Losing weight, frankly, is one of the ways you can reduce your own risk of coronavirus. “

Perhaps most importantly, cycling is also a key way to get around more – inactivity is a major killer.

the guardianPeter Walker’s political correspondent describes cycling as a “miracle pill” (and he released a book in January 2021 with that title).

“Imagine if a team of scientists were to design a drug that greatly reduced people’s chances of developing cancer or heart disease, reducing their overall chance of dying prematurely by 40%,” he wrote in 2017.

“That drug is already here, even if it’s given in a slightly different way – it’s called cycling for work.”

Walker added: “One of the most puzzling political questions is why it is rarely prescribed at the population level. Most people recognize that riding a bike makes you healthier. But studies have shown that the impact of even a relatively modest regular cycle can have almost miraculous health dividends. “

British cycling policy adviser Chris Boardman said: “Cycling is the miracle cure [that] it treats obesity, a hundred diseases related to inactivity, air pollution and mental illness, and helps young and old to stay mobile. “

Boardman, who is also Greater Manchester’s cycling and walking commissioner, added:

“Let’s make room on our roads and streets and give more people the opportunity to choose cycling.”

Golden age

In May, Johnson told the UK parliament that the near future “should be a new golden age for cycling.”

He made his remarks during Prime Minister’s Question Time and was answering a question from former Transport Secretary Therese Villiers, who asked if the Prime Minister would seek assurances from London Mayor Sadiq Khan that the London Underground service would soon be open for everyone wanted to use it and not just key workers.

“A crucial part of our success now in getting transportation to work safely will be running a larger and more expansive subway service so people can observe social distancing,” Johnson replied.

Without warning, Johnson added, “There will be a lot of planning to help people get to work other than on public transportation and this should be a new golden age for cycling.”

Later, the government launched a £ 2 billion program to boost cycling and walking.

Before becoming Prime Minister, Johnson regularly rode a bicycle in London while he was mayor and when he was a Member of Parliament.

Public Health England (PHE) said July 25 that being overweight puts people at higher risk of needing hospitalization or intensive care.

PHE’s chief nutritionist, Dr. Alison Tedstone, said that being overweight or obese puts people at increased risk for serious illness or death from Covid-19, as well as many other life-threatening illnesses.

“Losing weight can have tremendous health benefits,” he said, “and it can also help protect against the health risks of COVID-19.”

She added: “The case for action against obesity has never been so strong.”

The UK has one of the highest levels of obesity in Europe, with two thirds of adults reported as obese or overweight.

Article updated July 26 with comment from Chris Boardman.