Philly Expert Says Americans Should Try to Walk More

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- A new study shows that Australians take the most steps each day -- 9,700 on average -- and Americans lag behind, with only about 5,100 steps a day.

It's no surprise that Americans walk less than others, according to Dr. Mark Harwood, assistant professor of family medicine at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, but he says there are simple ways to improve the numbers and improve your health:

"Taking the stairs instead of the elevator or the escalator at the mall or at work.  Anytime you're in a parking lot, parking further away from the front entrance instead of of trying to find the quote, best possible spot, closed quote."

He says it's not critical to reach a certain number of steps each day, it's just important to increase the number of steps you take each day to improve your physical and emotional health.

Reported by Lynne Adkins, KYW Newsradio.
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