Over half of 4 to 11-year-olds get sufficient exercise

The National Health Survey/Lifestyle Monitor shows that 55 percent of the 4 to 11-year-olds met the physical activity guidelines in 2017. According to the Health Council’s guidelines, children in this age group should engage in a moderately intense activity for at least one hour per day, for example by cycling, walking or swimming. In addition, they should engage in muscle and bone-strengthening activities such as jumping, dancing or strength training exercises at least three times per week.

Children and physical activity guidelines

More than half of all children aged 4 to 11 years were taking one hour of moderately intense exercise every day. Virtually all children were engaging in muscle and bone-strengthening activities three times a week. There was no difference between boys and girls and no difference between children aged 4 to 7 and children aged 8 to 11.

Almost half of all adults meet physical activity guidelines

In 2017, the share of adults with at least one child in the age group 4 to 11 years who complied with the physical activity guidelines for adults stood at 47 percent, slightly less than half. According to these guidelines, persons aged 18 and up should engage in moderately intense activities for at least 150 minutes (2.5 hours) per week and in muscle and bone-strengthening activities at least twice per week.

Especially when it comes to muscle and bone-strengthening activities, parents in this survey are less compliant than their children. Only 77 percent of parents meet the activity guidelines versus 99 percent of the children.

65 percent of children engage in weekly sports activities

Of all children aged 4 to 11 years, 65 percent engaged in sports weekly in 2017; 52 percent of 4 to 7-year-olds and over 79 percent of 8 to 11-year-olds indicated they did so on a weekly basis. There was no difference between boys and girls. The children taking part in weekly activities included 73 percent who were members of a sports club and 13 percent who made use of sports facilities.

The children not taking part in weekly activities included 2 percent who were members of a sports club and nearly 7 percent who made use of sports facilities.

Adults exercise less often than children

The share of adults with at least one child in the age group 4 to 11 years who engaged in weekly sports activities stood at 53 percent. This share is lower than among children in that age group. The adults taking part in weekly sports activities included 34 percent who were members of a sports club and 35 percent who made use of sports facilities.

The adults were more likely to maintain a subscription at a sports provider, such as a gym, fitness centre or swimming pool.