Healthy Routes

CONTEXT

Recent studies (OEDC, 2017) have found that around 16% of Spanish adults are obese and almost 40% are overweight. Poor quality food that is high in fat and low in fibre and a lack of regular physical exercise and sport constitute the main causes of obesity and associated chronic diseases. For this reason it is essential for local governments to establish preventive measures. The scientific evidence shows that the regular practice of physical activity has numerous benefits for physical and mental health, resulting in a better quality of life. The WHO (World Health Organization) recommends 150 minutes of moderate physical activity or 75 minutes of intense activity per week (WHO, 2010).

Many factors play a role in the appearance of mental health disorders, including social, psychological and biological factors, in addition to the environment in which we live, particularly the characteristics of the urban environment. Physical activity helps improve mental health. Moreover, green spaces and blue spaces (rivers, lakes, the sea) in or near to cities have been associated with better mental health conditions (e.g. less risk of the symptoms of depression, psychological anguish, etc.).

One of the health promotion tools that can be created in the urban environment is healthy routes. Healthy routes are routes adapted to people with reduced mobility or other conditioning factors (e.g. the elderly, the obese, people with cardiovascular problems, etc.) with permanent signage and designed for moderate physical activity.

OBJECTIVE

Act on the environment of the cities to promote physical activity and improve the physical and mental health of the population through the establishment of healthy routes.

PROPOSALS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

Design a healthy routes proposal based on existing potentialities (paths, facilities, spaces) and on the target groups, both general users and groups with special needs and/or problems.
Ensure, wherever possible, that the routes go through green spaces more than through built-up areas. In this sense, the routes may be a good opportunity to improve and recover peri-urban natural spaces. • Develop the project, from the start, in conjunction with the groups involved: health centres, various departments of the council, users, and local bodies related to this sector.
Identify and foster additional actions that can contribute to the success of the routes: professional guidance (health centres, council, volunteers), complementary activities along the routes (visits to elements of heritage interest, facilities, orchards, etc.), among others.
Remove architectural barriers, provide signage for the routes and make them accessible for all (height differences, lighting, shade, distance, etc.).
It is advisable for the routes to start at or pass close to facilities like health centres, day centres, old people’s homes and civic centres, as they favour their use.
Equip the routes with facilitating elements and suitable urban furniture (e.g. leisure spaces for the elderly, benches and fountains).
Incorporate green spaces into these routes. Various studies show the benefits of physical activity in natural environments in or close to the urban scope (e.g. the recovery and improvement of stretches of the river Besòs, the route known as the ‘Cholesterol Route’, and the ‘Blue Routes’ project, which aims to connect the entire river Llobregat through routes for walking or cycling).
The recovery of disused natural environments close to the urban scope is an effective measure to foster physical activity.
Inform the public of the routes and provide practical advice for users.
Health centres should prescribe physical activity for therapeutic purposes and work with the council to encourage the use of healthy routes.