Britons say they are getting fitter
Wednesday August 14th, 2013
Last year's Olympics may have helped trigger a surge in fitness activity among Britons, according to figures published today.
More
than half the population of England now complies with official guidelines
for exercise, new figures show.
The British government meanwhile launched a new "be active" campaign amid concern about the minority who do no exercise, including young people.
The figures, from a new population survey, also show massive regional differences in fitness.
Fewer than one in three people in the West Midlands and the North West achieve the target of 150 minutes of moderate activity a week, the figures show.
But it is achieved by 58.7% of people in the south-east and 56% of adults across England.
Men also claim to keep fitter than women - 61% of men were reported to comply with the guidelines compared with 51% of women.
The figures do not include activity undertaken at work or during home care.
Some 28.5% of adults do less than 30 minutes a week, according to the figures.
The government announced handouts of some £5 million to boost exercise, including some £1.1 million for "street play" schemes, £1 million for walking initiatives and £3 million for Change 4 Life Sports Clubs.
Cath Prisk, director of Play England, said: "Active kids become active adults and we know one of the places kids are most active is on the streets outside their own houses when they are able to simply go out there and play, like most adults did.
"Everyone can do something to make their own communities more playful."
Health minister Anna Soubry said: "It’s fantastic that more than half of English adults are doing the recommended amount of physical activity, but I am shocked that more than a quarter are not getting even 30 minutes of exercise a week.
"We were all inspired by the Olympics and Paralympics and as part of their legacy we want to encourage everyone – children and adults – to get active and get healthy."
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