Latest Active Lives Data Release

The Active Lives Survey measures the activity levels of people across England. The survey is sent out to a randomly selected sample of households across England and the overall sample size for May 2017/18 is 185,732 people. These results are from the May 2017/18 release and where applicable are compared to the previous 12-month period (May 16/17). This report compares the different responses across ethnic groups. 

Active Lives Survey data suggest those who are mixed ethnicity are the most active (71%) undertaking at least 150 minutes each week, whilst South Asians are the least active (55%).

Mixed ethnicity males are the most likely to be active (73%), whilst South Asian females are the least likely to do 150 minutes activity each week (50%). Females are less likely to do 150 minutes activity each week compared to men across all ethnic groups. The gap is widest between South Asian males and females (59% and 50% respectively).

Those who are most likely to suggest they have done no activity in the last 28 days are other ethnic groups (66%) and South Asians (65%). Broken down by gender females of other ethnic origin are the most likely to have been inactive (73%).

When comparing across religious groups, those with no religion and Buddhists are the most likely to be regularly active and do at least 150 minutes per week (72% and 68% respectively). Whilst Muslims and Hindus are least likely to be active (49% and 53% respectively). Those who are least likely to have undertaken 150 minutes activity each week are Muslim females (46%) and Hindu males (51%).

Team sports are popular amongst the BAME community, although this is predominantly males who are participating. Racket sports are most popular with Chinese groups, again this is driven by males.

Across all ethnic groups walking and fitness activities are the most likely to have been undertaken in the last 28 days. This is followed by cycling, running, fitness classes, gym sessions and dancing, the order of which varies slightly with each ethnic group. Dance is more common amongst black and mixed ethnicity groups, badminton amongst Chinese groups and football amongst black, mixed and South Asian groups.

South Asians are the most active in the South east, but those in the east Midlands are most likely to have done no activity in the last 28 days. Black groups are the most active in the South West, South east and east region, but those in the North West are most likely to have done no activity. Chinese groups are most active in the East, mixed groups in the South West and other ethnic groups in the South East.

(Note; some data profiles have small sample size so should be treated with caution)

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