Hot-Air Health Myths... Exploded

Think you’re up to date with the basic rules of staying in shape? Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but you probably aren’t…

- Joe Warner

From the chowing down of five portions of fruit and veg a day rule, to walking laps around your printer in order to meet your daily 10,000 steps target, there are certain health commandments that we’ve long taken as gospel. But what if we told you that most of the research behind these go-to fitness “facts” is, how can we put this… flimsy? Because it is. So buckle up, we’re going on a fiction-debunking ride…

THE MYTH

AIM TO WALK 10,000 STEPS A DAY

Says who? The World Health Organization (for one), and almost all fitness apps and trackers (for another). Past wisdom: Hitting 10,000 steps a day was seen as the way to help you lose weight while maintaining general fitness.

Actually… The whole idea was dreamed up by a Japanese marketing team in the ’60s in order to advertise a step counter. So, er, not exactly scientific.

The update: Of course, nobody is denying that walking is a good way to get gentle exercise, but the NHS is now encouraging the idea of “Active 10”, which involves walking briskly for 10 minutes daily in order to raise your heart rate, which has been shown to reduce the risk of early death by 15%.

THE MYTH

IF YOUR BMI SAYS YOU’RE HEALTHY… YOU’RE HEALTHY

Says who? Our favourite British institution, the NHS.

Past wisdom: The BMI scale was devised in the 1800s (yes, during the same time period in which women were warned they’d be unable to fall pregnant if they were educated). It considers your weight in kilograms, divided by height in metres squared (between 18.5 and 24.9 is considered “healthy”).