HEART disease remains South Australia’s “biggest killer”, claiming four lives every day, with diet and physical activity seen as large contributing factors.
According to the state’s Heart Foundation branch, obesity numbers across the state have also jumped significantly over the last 10 years, up 32pc.
Research also shows one in five South Australians have uncontrolled or unmanaged blood pressure, with a staggering 95pc of the state’s residents not consuming enough fruit and vegetables and 85pc not doing enough exercise to remain healthy.
After recently completing the Heart Foundation’s 250,000 step program, Mount Gambier man Peter Heness is urging the local community to get their walking shoes in a bid for the town to stay healthier.
Mr Heness now leads the Mount Gambier Heart Foundation Walking Group who meet bi-weekly at the Blue Lake.
They also meet Monday mornings at Vansittart Park.
“When I was about 48 it was Christmas and I was huffing and puffing as I was walking around with my nephew,” Mr Heness said.
“It was at that point I decided I had to do something about this.”
Mr Heness joined the walking group, before taking it over after the last leader moved away.
Originally a Community Health initiative, Mr Heness and his wife Christine have since taken the reins.
“There are a wide amount of benefits associated with walking in a group,” Mr Heness said.
“You have a more positive mind, you breathe better and your movement is better also especially for the older walkers.
“But there is also the social side too if you are walking in a group you feel more obligated to go.
“We are with a group and because of that we have company to walk with which is a great benefit and it makes a large difference.”
As a shift worker, Mr Heness has worked walking hours around other shift workers, knowing first-hand the exercise habits they can posses.
“Shift workers usually do not exercise as much as they should,” Mr Heness said.
“Purely because they are tired and worn out.”
At his work, Mr Heness generated interest from fellow shift workers, which continued to grow.
Mr Heness and his wife now run two seperate groups.
Mr Heness’s Wednesday and Friday group leaves at 5.30pm sharp, with their Monday morning groups meeting at Vansittart Park at 9am.
