Health Survey for England 2015: Physical Activity in Children

London Sport

This report examines physical activity levels in children in England in 2015. It compares different population groups, by age, sex, income and region. Key findings include:

– Excluding school based activities, 22% of children aged between 5 and 15 met the physical activity guidelines of being moderately active for 60 minutes per day. This is an increase from 2012.

– The proportion of children aged 5-15 meeting recommendations was lower in the higher quintiles than in the lower quintiles of equivalised household income. 

– Girls aged between 5-10 who were obese were less likely to meet activity guidelines compared to those not overweight or obese.

– 79% of children participated in activities such as walking and sports in the last week while in a lesson at school. 

– Time spent sedentary during the week and weekends increased with age. 

Geographic Coverage