Commuting more than 10 miles each day can put us at an increased risk of developing diabetes, cancer and heart disease according to a recent American study and a 15 mile commute was associated with obesity because of a lack of exercise. Those who commute such distances have less time to exercise and therefore are of a higher weight and have higher blood pressure levels, which are risk factors for cardiovascular illness, certain cancers and diabetes. The recent findings are published in the American Journal of Preventative Medicine where the distances of the various commutes were recorded and along with this was recorded the participants BMI (Body Mass Index), triglycerides, glucose levels, cholesterol levels and blood pressure levels.
Cardiovascular health was impaired among those with the longer commutes along with BMI and blood pressure but levels of cholesterol and glucose in the blood were not affected by the daily distance travelled by car.
The study’s authors suggest that taking walks at break times and being as active as possible during the day will help to combat the effects of our sedentary lifestyles. Between work and the car, there is little time for exercise these days but doing five minutes here and there might make all the difference.