Nuffield Health’s latest survey reveals that while people are moving more in 2023 compared to the previous year, a staggering 75 per cent are still not meeting the World Health Organization’s guidelines for physical activity. The Healthier Nation Index surveyed over 8,000 individuals and found that the average amount of activity per week only amounts to 83 minutes, with 33 per cent admitting to not engaging in any vigorous activity in the past year.
Gender inequality in exercise was also highlighted in the survey, with women’s fitness levels declining while men’s showed slight improvement. Education around the benefits of exercise was found to be lacking, with only 39 per cent of respondents aware that exercise can reduce the risk of illness by up to 50 per cent.
Motivation, price, and body confidence were identified as the main barriers to exercise, with many citing these factors as reasons for not being more active. Nuffield Health is calling for a National Movement Strategy to promote physical activity and embed movement into every aspect of society.
Dr. Davina Deniszczyc, Nuffield Health’s medical and charity director, emphasized the importance of prioritizing movement to prevent and treat long-term conditions. The #MyDailyMovement campaign has been launched to provide educational content and expert advice to raise awareness of the benefits of daily movement.
Nuffield Health Ambassador, Dame Kelly Holmes, stressed the need for more awareness and understanding of how exercise can benefit both the body and mind. She recommends breaking down physical activity into enjoyable and manageable forms to increase motivation and make exercise a habit.