Physical activity in children
This report examines physical activity levels in children in England in 2015. It compares different population groups, by age, sex, income and region.
Highlights
- Excluding school-based activities, 22% of children aged between 5 and 15 met the physical activity guidelines of being at least moderately active for at least 60 minutes every day (23% of boys, 20% of girls). These proportions have increased since 2012, when 21% of boys and 16% of girls met the guidelines.
- The proportion of both boys and girls aged 5 to 15 meeting current recommendations was lower in the higher quintiles than in the lower quintiles of equivalised household income.
- Girls aged between 5 and 10 who were obese were less likely to meet the current guidelines than those who were neither overweight nor obese; 14% compared with 28% respectively.
- Four in five children (79%) participated in activities such as walking and sports in the last week while in a lesson at school.
- Time spent being sedentary (excluding time at school) during the week and at weekends increased with age.