Based on the latest available data, over 3 in 10 (35%) adults aged 18–64 are insufficiently physically active. More women (39%) than men (32%) did not do the recommended amount of physical activity (ABS 2022b).
Almost a third of Australians aren't getting enough exercise, according to new research by the World Health Organisation. The study tracking self-reported activity levels has found 30.4 per cent of Australian adults didn't reach the recommended level of physical activity for staying healthy in 2016.
41% of Australians [aged 15+] participate in a sport-related activity at least once a week. 47% of children [aged 0-14] participate in organised outside-of-school hours sport-related activity at least once a week.
For this indicator, insufficient physical activity for 18 to 64 year olds is measured as those completing less than 150 minutes of moderate intensity exercise, or 75 minutes of vigorous activity, across 5 sessions per week.
With Australia ranking in the bottom half of global physical activity levels, the urgency to get more Australians moving has become even greater. A new World Health Organisation study measuring insufficient levels of physical activity in adults around the globe revealed Australia ranked 97 out of 168 countries.
Too many Australians are not active enough for various reasons, including poor health, injury and lack of time. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare and Australian Bureau of Statistics research found that in Australia: more than half (55%) of adults do not meet the physical activity guidelines.
LEVEL OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY
More than one-quarter (28%) of Australian adults reported moderate levels of physical activity, with over one-third (35%) reporting low levels. Males and females reported similar rates of sedentary levels of physical activity (21%).
In 2021, 5.6% of Australian adults have a gym membership.
This statistic is a telling indication of the current state of the Australian fitness industry.
The guidelines also recommend that people aged 18-64 years include strength or toning on at least 2 days per week. Nearly one in four (24.5%) people aged 18-64 years met the physical activity guidelines.
Physical culture ("physie") in Australia
It combines elements of march, rhythmic gymnastics and dance, with a focus on good posture and is aimed at young girls and women, from pre-school age to seniors.
Australians are known for their energetic approach to life, and keeping fit is as much a part of the Aussie lifestyle as barbecues, surfing and enjoying the great outdoors. Obviously, the climate helps, but what can Australians teach us about staying motivated and getting results from our exercise regime?
For those who've caught the travel bug, it's hard to imagine why many people haven't ventured outside of Australia. Some small surveys estimate about 40 per cent of us have never been abroad, which probably isn't far off the mark given in the year 2017-18, just 57 per cent of Aussies held a passport.
Facts. More than 60 percent of U.S. adults do not engage in the recommended amount of activity. Approximately 25 percent of U.S. adults are not active at all.
Australians are the worlds earliest population to call it a night, according to a new study. The average Aussie goes to bed just after 10:45pm, which is more than an hour earlier than the late night Spaniards, the University of Michigan's global sleep pattern research found.
The Australian Bureau of Statistics' National Health Survey from 2017–18 revealed that 67 per cent of Australian adults were overweight or obese (12.5 million people), an increase from 63.4 per cent since 2014-15. If the current trend continues, more than 18 million Australians will be overweight or obese by 2030.
Key findings:
People living in more remote areas had similar levels of physical inactivity compared with people in less remote areas. 52 percent of rural populations and 54 percent of the urban population met physical activity guidelines. Rural populations reported on average 7.8 hours of sedentary time per day.
“Adults paid $634 on sport or physical activity last year compared to $600 in 2020 while for children this figure was $650 in 2022 and $600 in 2020.” “It's clear that Australians see the value of sport and continue to invest in it as they recognise the benefits an active lifestyle offers.”
Around 30 per cent of us have a gym membership. But an exclusive poll for news.com.au shows that out of those with a membership, 27 per cent barely use it — going less than once a week. For these people, their wasted fees add up to a staggering $1.8 billion, according to finder.com.au.
An additional five Australia-specific trends were added to the survey; boxing, kickboxing and mixed martial arts for fitness, electrical muscle stimulation training, inclusive exercise services, quality accredited businesses, and tai chi.
A “no worries” attitude
Of course food, events, art and history are all vital parts of the Australian culture, but what really distinguishes an Aussie is his or her laid-back outlook on life. It's the way friends turn up unannounced for a catch-up (but always with a six-pack of beer in hand).
Australians have game sense: fact. “The sports culture in Australia is based on an appreciation of the game, what's known as 'game sense',” says Coughlan. “That comes in from the TGFU model, 'teaching games for understanding'. “That in turn comes from the idea that we learn from doing.
How often do Aussies move homes? Well, data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) show that from 2019 to 2020, 1.14 million households (12% of all households) moved at least once in the previous 12 months.