An international study commissioned by the British Council suggests urban populations are walking faster and faster, and putting their health in danger in the process, BBC reported.
Researchers in 35 city centres timed how long it took 70 people unencumbered by phones, shopping and companions to walk 60 feet. "The key conclusion is that the world is speeding up," says Professor Richard Wiseman, who headed the study. "Pace around the world is 10 percent faster than ever before. That's not great for our health. As people speed up in their lives they are not eating properly, exercising or seeing friends and family. All these things can lead to all kinds of things, especially heart attacks."
People who walk fast are also more likely to speak and eat quickly, wear a watch and get impatient, he says. They don't like to sit still, sit in traffic or wait in queues. The professor believes the increased pace of life is driven by technology and the way people are constantly in touch with each other. The correlation between walking speed and heart disease is very close, says Professor Wiseman.
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