Health advocate, former racewalker Mark Fenton to bring exercise message to URI Feb. 22 

One would be hard-pressed to find anyone who’s not aware of the benefits of physical activity. From weight loss, to cardiovascular health, to prevention of diseases including cancer, diabetes, depression and more, the benefits of even moderate exercise can lead to a fuller, longer life for anyone.

Yet despite clear evidence of those benefits of exercise, by and large, people simply don’t do it. The federal Department of Health and Human Services reports that fewer than 5 percent of adult Americans get even 30 minutes of physical activity a day, and only one-third of children exercise daily. More than 80 percent of Americans do not meet basic guidelines for physical fitness, according to HHS.

Part of the problem, according to national public health, planning, and transportation consultant Mark Fenton, is that simply telling Americans to get more exercise doesn’t work, even if they’re reminded that simply taking a walk is highly beneficial. There needs to be greater encouragement, perhaps through targeted planning to create healthier communities.

Fenton, an adjunct associate professor at Tufts University’s Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy, and former host of the “America’s Walking” series on PBS television, will bring his message of health by design to URI on Feb. 22.

“Creating Healthier Communities Through Sticky Design” will explore whether contemporary planning and design makes a difference in public health and encouraging residents to exercise more. Fenton will also share his own experiences over 20 years trying to convince people to walk and bicycle more, during the presentation scheduled for 2 p.m. at the Hardge Forum in the Multicultural Center. The event is free and open to all.

“Mark Fenton is an amazing and engaging speaker, and I would highly recommend his presentation to anyone,” said Alison Tovar, assistant professor in the College of Health Sciences, which is hosting the presentation.

Fenton, former member of the United States national racewalking team, is the author of several books including the best-selling Complete Guide to Walking for Health, Weight Loss, and Fitness. He was a developer of the University of North Carolina’s Safe Routes to School clearinghouse, and facilitator for the walkable community workshop series of the National Center for Bicycling and Walking. He studied biomechanics at the Massachusetts Institute Technology, was a researcher at the Olympic Training Center’s Sports Science Laboratory, and manager of Reebok’s Human Performance Laboratory.