Social networkers take steps toward healthier lifestyles

Walking and jogging have joined fine food and babies as hot topics on social networking sites - and competition is heating up.

Phone apps are being used by walkers and joggers to show the number of steps they take each day. They are using the apps to draw up daily ranking lists with their friends to see who has been the most active.

Shi Feng, 44, a bank clerk from Shanghai, who uses such an app daily to check on his performance, said, "It's interesting and makes walking more competitive."