Risk factor changes for chronic disease before and after healthy walking intervention in occupational population in Shanghai

ObjectiveTo investigate the influence of healthy walking intervention on risk factors of non-communicable chronic disease in occupational population, and to explore the suitable mode of exercise intervention for occupational population in Shanghai.

MethodsBefore and after healthy walking intervention were compared the changes of body weight, BMI, waist circumference, body fat rate, visceral fat index, over-weight and obesity rate, central obesity rate, blood-pressure controlling rate.

ResultsWeight, BMI, waist circumference, body fat percentage, viscera index, SBP and DBP all reduced after 100days of healthy walking, and the results were (1.52±2.75)kg (Z=-21.99, P < 0.01), (0.55±1.03)kg/m²(Z=-21.64, P < 0.01), (2.10±5.27)cm (Z=-17.62, P < 0.01), (0.31±4.59)% (Z=-3.48, P < 0.01), (0.12±1.99) (Z=-2.70, P < 0.01), (2.51±10.87)mmHg (Z=-9.35, P < 0.01) and (1.67±8.26)mmHg (Z=-9.06, P < 0.01).The rate of over-weight and obesity decreased 7.86%, the rate of central obesity decreased 6.92%, and the rate of blood-pressure controlling increased 2.72%.There were significant difference between the three indicators before and after healthy walking (χ²=916.48, P < 0.01;χ²=585.90, P < 0.01;χ²=366.37, P < 0.01).

ConclusionHealthy walking could reduce occupational population′s over-weight and obesity rate, central obesity rate, and increase blood-pressure controlling rate.The risk factors of un-communicable chronic disease have improved significantly.Healthy walking plays a positive role in the prevention and control of chronic diseases.