Walking Groups

Question: Write an article onillustrating the benefits of walking groups for the individuals with poor health. Answer: The article deals in illustrating the benefits of walking groups for the individuals with poor health. The article helps in understanding the socio-economic indicators in order to understand the barriers that could hamper with the involvement of the individuals with the walking. The authors have implemented the qualitative approach in order to make the readers better understand about the benefits of walking groups being facilitated by the photo elicitation process. The article has been able to determine both the positive and negative aspects of the individual experiences related to the exercises referral scheme. While, walking groups has been able to influence most of the individuals to participate in the healthier activities, a few of them do not like socializing (Hanson et al., 2016). Thus, the authors have illustrated about an exercise referral scheme that could be effective in engaging new walkers from the disadvantage groups into walking interventions. Authors Argument The authors, in their article, have illustrated on the grim fact that people consider gym, medical attention, and other modern and expensive techniques, to be useful in healing their serious ailments. The people have a tendency to join the group with the expectation of earning an experience, which however, has no close connection with the thought of improving the health conditions. To belong, and to become a part of the group of the other fellow beings, is a significant factor that motivates the people. However, after joining the social group, these individuals realize the benefits related with the physical activity of walking. Critique The most important point in the writing that immediately strikes a reader is the lack of awareness among the public regarding the benefits of walking. The journal clearly shows how a huge number of people were unaware and absolutely ignorant about the benefit of walking. According to Nutsword et al., (2013), the casual approach and indifference to walking could not be more striking, when an interviewee reported bluntly that he usually does not go out for a walk. His I pad, TV, luxurious house are providing him with all the necessary happiness and comfort he requires in life. The writer not only talks of walking as an important physical activity that should be appreciated, but he also emphasizes the importance of the same, for mental bliss. According to Mitchell et al., (2013), group walking, in an alienated, tech-obsessed world, turns out to be an activity that promoted socialization with other fellow beings, deep interaction with nature, and a source of refreshment and amusement for the walkers. One of the most unique and commendable aspects of the journal is that the writer focuses more on the mental health benefits of walking. Group walking helps in promoting mental health, by curing clinical depression, stress, hypertension, isolation and sleeplessness. The writer reminds the reader that it is important to go out of the door, explore the natural beauty of the beach, park, promenade, interact with nature, and to socialize with people of various classes. Suggestion The article lacks the illustration of the various theories related to the health behavior and health behavior change based on the characteristics of the individuals. According to Nutbeam Harris, (2004), the theory of health behavior helps in illustrating on the best practice interventions on the self-regulation skills and abilities of the individuals, which could help in improving the health conditions. The theory of health behavior utilizes the Social cognitive Theory, and hence examines and exploits the inter-relation between the environment and the human beings. Thus, the article should have been more effective to make the readers understand the health behavior of the individuals in a better way. Conclusion The article discusses about the importance of walking which could be useful in healing their serious ailments. The article has been able to determine both the positive and negative aspects of the individual experiences related to the exercises referral scheme. In this regard, group walking is required to be appreciated for the individuals to enjoy health benefits. It should be considered as an implication, which is participated in a social group requiring the mingling of people in the society. This process in the due course, help in refreshing the minds of the individuals. The participation in the process would itself enable the individuals to understand the physical health benefits where they could themselves would feel the motivation to continue participating on their own. Those who joined, admiring the idea of leisure walking, became aware of their own level of physical fitness, in comparison with that of the crowd, and could accordingly take steps to improve their physical health . References Astell-Burt, T., Mitchell, R. Hartig, T., (2014). The association between green space and mental health varies across the lifecourse. A longitudinal study. Journal of epidemiology and community health, 68(6), pp.578-583.Fry, D. Zask, A., (2016). Applying the Ottawa Charter to inform health promotion programme design. Health promotion international, p.daw022.Grembowski, D., (2015). The practice of health program evaluation. Sage Publications.Hanson, S., Guell, C. Jones, A., (2016). Walking groups in socioeconomically deprived communities: A qualitative study using photo elicitation. Health place, 39, pp.26-33.Mitchell, R., (2013). Is physical activity in natural environments better for mental health than physical activity in other environments?. Social Science Medicine, 91, pp.130-134.Nutbeam, D., Harris, E. (2004). Theories on health behaviour and health behaviour change: individual characteristics. Theory in a nutshell.Nutsford, D., Pearson, A.L. Kingham, S., (2013). An ecolo gical study investigating the association between access to urban green space and mental health. Public health, 127(11), pp.1005-1011.