Would it pay for the government to pay people for daily walking?

@robertwills We’re chatting about paying people to walk to get healthier and use the health system less (leaving aside how that is monitored by the government so cheats don’t abuse the system!)

I’ve just read how there are some scientists in the UK calling for the government to pay smokers to give up for the same reason.

What do you think about that?

I lost weight easily by not eating processed foods. Exercise did not help me loose weight. I think fresh produce should be free and a huge tax be put on anything in a box or bag.

That's very interesting but I believe paying people to not engage in something will result in abuse. Imagine all the people who will then say "Well, I'm talking up smoking so I can receive money for not smoking."

Paying people to engage in something like walking, where the financial costs will be lower than if they are not paid is not only smart economics but an assurance that individuals and the population will be far, far healthier. Also with walking many people will not engage as much in bad habits, like smoking or bad eating. And even if they do the they at least have some protection against the harms.

@seapen My understanding is that exercise is important for good health, but that the main tool in losing weight is controlling what you eat 👍

I spend almost nothing on beauty products (mainly on cleanser, toner and moisturiser) and the money I save goes on getting the best quality fresh food I can afford including vegetables and berries 👍

In Australia we have a 10% GST tax on goods and services which doesn’t apply to certain basic necessities including certain foods. Not the same as being free but it all helps.

The word for the walking benefits is "aerobic" and weight loss itself is not the primary benefit. What aerobic exercise does is condition the whole body to use oxygen more efficiently. In doing this it strengthens the cardiovascular system, increases blood volume, increases blood delivery to all areas of the body and does so many other beneficial things that you will not see. Don't walk (or run, swim, cycle dance, etc.) for weight loss alone. It can combine wonderfully with a healthy diet to lose weight, tone the body and change fat to lean tissue.

@robertwills. I was thinking when I posted my comment about some of the complications of incentivising the giving up of a bad habit.

I can remember when we were kids my 2 siblings used to earn rewards (eg my brother to be quiet on long road trips! He didn’t earn much!! Both for stopping sucking their thumbs!!)

It used to really bug me that I got no rewards for not needing to be bribed. I did seriously think about taking up some undesirable habits of my own but couldn’t keep it up 😊😎

When I was a child the house two houses away always gave their children a reward if they did something good. My parents never did, I didn't care because I felt I did good because it was the right thing to do. Today, as adults that family two houses away has familial relationship problems that my family does not. So yes, there very well may be complications but at least as a society we should experiment!

I noticed recently when I was out that there are very few people over about 60 around here. The only exception is at the park where people walk! And they are almost all thin!