A UK study has found that people who catch public transport, walk or cycle to work keep more weight off than people who travel to work by car, indicating that even just a small amount of physical activity is better than nothing.
150,000 adults in the UK, who were all at least 40 years old, answered a survey about their typical commute, as well as being measured and weighed as part of the study.
83,667 women and 72,999 men were participants in the study, which looked to compare lifestyles and bodyweight.
The study found that cycling was the best way to stay lean, followed by walking, and then public transport, all ahead of commuting by car. The link between bodyweight and the method used to commute remained even when factoring in diet, exercise, job role and leisure activities.
Unsurprisingly, travelling further distances when cycling or walking was linked to a greater reduction in body fat percentage.
“We know that physical activity can help prevent obesity – absolutely we do – and yet, two thirds of the UK population don’t achieve weekly recommended levels of physical activity,” said Dr Ellen Flint, study author.
“This study shows basically that people who do manage to build some level of physical exertion into their commute, even if it’s just walking to a bus stop or cycling a short distance, they tend to be less heavy and have less body fat than people who drive all the way to work,” she continued.
The study suggested that a woman of ‘average’ height would weigh 4.4kg less if she cycled to work, instead of driving, whilst for men it was 5kg.
The findings from the study were published in the Lancet Diabetes and Endocrinology journal.
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