Commuting by public transport or car "is killing us," Britain told

Travelling to work by car or public transport - is "shortening commuters' lifespans," The Sun declared this week in one of a number of media articles on a report highlighting the negative physical and mental impact of commuting.

The report by the Royal Society for Public Health, a charity working to improve public health, says that the average 56 minutes spent 'passive commuting' - 79 minutes in London - increases stress and adds an average of nearly 800 calories to diets. Lengthening commutes are eating into time for physical exercise and leading to snacking, while overcrowding is affecting mental health, it says.

The society urges employers to allow greater flexible working in order to reduce traffic and overcrowding and promote cycling and walking, and for 'health and well-being' to be a specification for train and bus franchises. Advising of train capacity on different services is one suggestion for achieving this. The Daily Mail said "the rat race had turned into the fat race" while information service NHS Choices suggested getting off a bus or train early and walking some of the way.