Wednesday is "National Walk@Lunch Day" | Health

(KFVS) - The 5th Annual National Walk@Lunch Day will be Wednesday, April 25.

National Walk@Lunch Day is created to improve personal health and decrease the costs of health care for employers and employees.

The goal is to make Nationa Walk@Lunch Day the start of a new daily walking routine for participants.

Participants are encouraged to bring or wear comfortable shoes and take a walk at lunch, rain or shine.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services estimates the cost to treat illness and chronic disease caused by inactive lifestyles in nearly $1,000 for every family in America, every year.

They say simply getting 30 minutes of moderate physical activity, such as a brisk walk at least five times a week, has significant health benefits, lowering the risk of developing or dying from cardiovascular disease, hypertension or type 2 diabetes, and improving the health of muscles, bones and joints.

National Walk@Lunch Day is a program of Blue Cross Blue Shield.

Copyright 2012 KFVS. All rights reserved.