Half the nation are bloody lazy

Gilps · December 8, 2006

Warning: Linked article includes a picture of Andy wearing just a pair of shorts

Half of nation do 'no exercise'

Half the population of England do no sport or active recreation, a poll of more than 350,000 people reveals.

Just one in five adults, mainly young wealthy white men from the south-east, does the recommended 30 minutes of exercise three times a week.

People from the Scilly Isles are among the most active, while those in areas hosting the London Olympics, like Newham, are among the least active.

Ministers and health experts said the Sport England findings were worrying.

Couch potatoes

Minister for Sport Richard Caborn said the survey showed disappointing levels of participation in sport.

He said: "In the last decade we have invested a record £3 billion of public money in state-of-the-art facilities across England that are both accessible and affordable.

FITTEST AND LAZIEST REGIONS

The fittest

Richmond upon Thames

Macclesfield

Kensington and Chelsea, Hart and Hampshire

The laziest

Boston, Lincolnshire

Newham, East London

Barking and Dagenham

(Based on % doing recommended amount of exercise)

"The government can only do so much. Individuals must start to take responsibility for their health and fitness too."

But Don Foster, spokesman for the Liberal Democrats called for fewer statistics and more action.

He said the cost of the survey - £6 million of Lottery players money - was enough to pay for over 100 football pitches or two weeks' gym fees for all of the 360,000 respondents.

A spokeswoman for the British Heart Foundation said exercise was important for good health, reducing the risk of heart disease.

TOP TEN ACTIVITIES

Walking - 8.1 million

Swimming - 5.6 million

Gym (including exercise bikes and rowing) - 4.7 million

Recreational cycling - 3.2 million

Football - 2.9 million

Jogging/Running - 1.8 million

Golf/pitch and putt/putting - 1.4 million

Badminton - 0.9 million

Tennis - 0.87 million

Aerobics - 0.6 million

The BHF recommends 30 minutes of moderate physical activity five days a week. She said: "We suggest you find a physical activity that suits you and remember that you are never too old to start being active."

A spokesman from the International Obesity Taskforce said: "The evidence shows that it's very difficult to sustain longer term regular exercise. A lot of people with weight problems are put off by the gym culture and the competition in sports.

"We need to encourage general activity - walking and climbing the stairs."

Walking was the most popular activity, the poll found.

WHO IS DOING RECOMMENDED 30 MINS THREE TIMES PER WEEK

24% of men and 18% of women

33% of 16 to 24-year-olds, 25% of 35 to 44-year-olds, 16% of 55 to 64-year-olds and 6% of 75 to 84-year-olds

25% of highest socioeconomic groups and 16% of lowest socioeconomic groups

Over 8 million adults aged 16 and over, 20% of the total, did a recreational walk for at least 30 minutes in the last 4 weeks.

Swimming came second, with 5.6 million participants, followed by exercising in the gym, recreational cycling and then football in fifth place.

Derek Mapp, chairman of Sports England said: "Knowing the scale of the challenge is the first step to putting it right, and it is a wake up call to people everywhere.

Sport England will use the data to gauge which areas in England need more sports facilities.

Bailo · December 8, 2006

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