Life style and (preventive) health; personal characteristics, 2014-2021

Dataset is not available.

Description topics

Physical activity, 12 years or older

The questions on physical activities were asked to every person aged 12 years or older, and are based upon the so-called Short Questionnaire to Assess Health Enhancing Physical Activity (SQUASH). This questionnaire aims to provide a complete view of a person-s physical activity. Frequencies and durations of the following physical activities were asked for:
1.Commuting to work or school by cycle or on foot,
2.Activities at work or in school,
3.Housekeeping activities ,
4.Walking, cycling, gardening and doing odd jobs in spare time,
5.Practising sports.
From 2017 onwards, Statistics Netherlands will publish the new physical activity guidelines (drawn up by the Dutch Health Council) for people aged 4 years or older. The figures on physical activity of people aged 12 or older are published for the last time in 2017.

Meeting the norm for fitness

The percentage of persons of 12 years or older who comply with the fitness standard. The fitness standard is based upon the minimal amount of physical activity that is needed to obtain an optimal endurance. A person complies with the fitness standard if he or she exercises with heavy intensity at least three times a week during at least 20 minutes. Intensity of physical activity is defined by means of the MET values (metabolic equivalent): 1 MET corresponds to the energy expenditure of sitting resting, and 5 MET corresponds to 5 times the energy expenditure of this resting metabolic rate. For all activities that are enquired in the SQUASH questionnaire, the MET value has been established.
For adolescents aged 12 to 17 years, activities with a MET value of at least 8 are regarded as heavily intensive (MET value minimally 8). For adults aged 18 to 54 years, a MET-value of at least 6.5 is considered as heavily intensive. For adults aged 55 years or older, this is at least 5.
At the end of 2017, the Dutch Health Council published new physical activity guidelines. The figures on the norm for fitness are published for the last time in 2017.

Inactive

The percentage of persons of 12 years or older who are inactive. A person is considered to be inactive if he or she does not meet the fitness standard on any day of the week.

Semi-active

The percentage of persons of 12 years or older who are semi active. A person is considered to be semi-active if he or she does not meet the fitness standard, but is normally active on at least 1 or 2 days per week.

Norm-active

The percentage of persons of 12 years or older who are norm-active. A person is considered to be norm-active he or she meets the fitness norm.