There is evidence that walking groups have wide-ranging health benefits .
The evidence was less clear for other outcomes such as waist circumference fasting glucose , SF-36 ( mental health ) and serum lipids such as high-density lipids .
There were no notable adverse side effects reported in any of the studies .
CONCLUSIONS Walking groups are effective and safe with good adherence and wide-ranging health benefits .
They could be a promising intervention as an adjunct to other healthcare or as a proactive health-promoting activity
OBJECTIVE To assess the health benefits of  outdoor walking groups .
Supervised Walking Groups to Increase Physical Activity in Type 2 Diabetic Patients
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the impact of an exercise program organized into supervised walking groups in subjects with type 2 diabetes . RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Fifty-nine diabetic subjects were r and omized to a control group receiving st and ard lifestyle recommendations or an intervention group assigned to three supervised walking sessions per week and counseling .  Changes in metabolic features , weight , 6-min walk test , prescription of antidiabetic medications , and overall physical activity were assessed . RESULTS Functional capacity and overall physical activity were higher in the intervention group , whereas metabolic changes were not different between groups after 4 months . However , in subjects who attended at least 50 % of scheduled walking sessions , changes in A1C and fasting glucose were greater than in control subjects . Discontinuation or reduction of antidiabetic drugs occurred in 33 % of these patients versus 5 % of control subjects ( P < 0.05 ) . CONCLUSIONS Supervised walking may be beneficial in diabetic subjects , but metabolic improvement requires adequate compliance
There is evidence that walking groups have wide-ranging health benefits .
The evidence was less clear for other outcomes such as waist circumference fasting glucose , SF-36 ( mental health ) and serum lipids such as high-density lipids .
There were no notable adverse side effects reported in any of the studies .
CONCLUSIONS Walking groups are effective and safe with good adherence and wide-ranging health benefits .
They could be a promising intervention as an adjunct to other healthcare or as a proactive health-promoting activity
OBJECTIVE To assess the health benefits of  outdoor walking groups .