Number of inactive children and young people falls in second Active Lives survey

The number of inactive children in London has fallen significantly in the last academic year according to Sport England’s second annual Active Lives Children and Young People Survey released today.

The report, covering the academic year 2018/19, shows a 4.6% decrease in the levels of less active children – those doing less than an average of 30 minutes physical activity every day.

There was also a rise in the number of children in London who are active, completing an average of 60 minutes or more activity a day, and fairly active, an average of 30-59 minutes of activity a day.

London figures show that 46.1% of children and young people (age 5-16) are now meeting the recommended levels of activity in line with the rest of the country (46.8%).

The capital also saw a significant increase (4.9% on last year) in young Londoners doing an average of 30+ minutes of activity a day outside of school – up to 56.3% of children and young people.

Government guidelines recommend that children and young people get 30 minutes of their daily physical activity in the school day and 30 minutes outside of school.

Sport England’s report is based on responses from over 130,000 children aged 5-16 in England during the academic year 2018/2019, making it the largest study of its kind.

London Sport’s Specialist Advisor for Children and Young People, Gary Palmer, said:

“It is always good news when we see the number of inactive children and young people fall but there is still plenty of work to do to help the 28.8% in London who are less active.

“Identifying trends after just two years is tricky, but to see rises in both the figures for active and fairly active children and young people is a positive which we will build on in 2020 and beyond.

“We are determined that future generations receive the best start in life, and we know that enjoyable physical activity and sport are absolutely crucial to achieving that.

“We want all young Londoners to build a physical activity habit for life and this research will only make us more determined in our efforts to deliver this objective across the entire capital.”

National data from Sport England also looked at the attitudes of children and young people with enjoyment sitting above all other elements of physical literacy as the biggest driver of activity.

The research notes that boys are more likely to enjoy being active than girls with the biggest gap between the genders found in confidence and enjoyment.

Children who are more physically literate are more likely to be active and are happier, more resilient and more trusting of others, according to the survey.

For more information and full results from the first Active Lives Children and Young People Survey, click here.

For more information on London Sport’s work with Children and Young People, click here.