Research and analysis

Brisk walking and physical inactivity in 40 to 60 year olds

Published 4 June 2018

1. Introduction

This publication presents levels of brisk walking and physical inactivity in adults aged 19 and over in England in 2016 to 2017. These analyses were undertaken to support Public Health England’s (PHE’s) One You Active 10 campaign.

This release focuses on those aged between 40 and 60, as this is the main target population for the One You and Active 10 campaigns, with other age groups provided for comparison and completeness.

Updated brisk walking data is released for the first time, with physical inactivity levels presented for different age groups to those previously published in PHE’s Physical Activity tool.

All analyses for this release were carried out by PHE, using data from the Active Lives Survey, 2016 to 2017[footnote 1]. The Active Lives survey[footnote 1] is designed to measure participation in sport and physical activity in England. The survey was conducted by Ipsos Mori on behalf of Sport England which commissioned the survey with additional funding from PHE, Arts Council England and the Department of Transport.

2. Brisk walking

Walking continuously for at least 10 minutes at a brisk pace. See section 4.7 for a more detailed definition

The results show:

  • 4 out of 10 (40%) of adults aged 40 to 60 in England report less than 10 minutes brisk walking each month (Table 1)

  • 43% of men and 37% of women aged 40 to 60 in England report less than ten minutes brisk walking each month (Table 1)

  • adults aged 40 to 60 in West Midlands and London were least likely to report brisk walking; with 43% doing less than 10 minutes brisk walking each month, compared with 35% in the South West (Table 2)

  • the East of England and West Midlands reported the highest proportion of men aged 40 to 60 (46%) doing less than 10 minutes brisk walking each month (Table 3)

  • London reported the highest proportion for women aged 40 to 60 (41%) doing less than 10 minutes brisk walking each month (Table 4)

See section 4.5 for a definition of brisk walking

Table 1: Proportion of adults that walk less than 10 minutes continuously each month at a brisk pace by age and sex, 2016 to 2017

Sex 19-29 years 30-39 years 40-60 years 61-74 years 75+ years Total (19+ years)
Men 50% 46% 43% 42% 60% 46%
Women 36% 37% 37% 42% 66% 41%
Persons 43% 42% 40% 42% 64% 44%

Tables 2 to 4 below are listed in order of high to low for the 40 to 60 years age group.

Table 2: Proportion of adults that walk less than 10 minutes continuously each month at a brisk pace by age and region, 2016 to 2017

Region 19-29 years 30 -39 years 40-60 years 61-74 years 75+ years Total (19+ years)
West Midlands 44% 42% 43% 43% 66% 46%
London 44% 45% 43% 43% 66% 45%
East of England 46% 42% 41% 45% 65% 46%
North East 47% 38% 40% 44% 62% 44%
East Midlands 44% 44% 40% 42% 66% 44%
North West 40% 42% 40% 43% 64% 43%
Yorkshire and the Humber 41% 42% 40% 43% 65% 44%
South East 40% 40% 37% 41% 61% 41%
South West 38% 37% 35% 36% 61% 39%
England 43% 42% 40% 42% 64% 44%

Table 3: Proportion of men that walk less than 10 minutes continuously each month at a brisk pace by age and region, 2016 to 2017

Region 19-29 years 30-39 years 40-60 years 61-74 years 75+ years Total (19+ years)
East of England 57% 47% 46% 46% 62% 49%
West Midlands 51% 47% 46% 42% 60% 48%
North East 56% 43% 45% 43% 59% 47%
East Midlands 50% 49% 45% 42% 63% 47%
London 52% 48% 44% 45% 63% 48%
Yorkshire and the Humber 48% 46% 43% 41% 60% 46%
North West 45% 49% 43% 43% 61% 46%
South West 45% 42% 40% 37% 58% 42%
South East 46% 44% 39% 42% 57% 43%
England 50% 46% 43% 42% 60% 46%

Table 4: Proportion of women that walk less than ten minutes continuously each month at a brisk pace by age and region, 2016 to 2017

Region 19-29 years 30-39 years 40-60 years 61-74 years 75+ years Total (19+ years)
London 37% 41% 41% 41% 68% 42%
West Midlands 37% 37% 40% 44% 70% 44%
North West 36% 36% 37% 43% 66% 41%
East of England 36% 37% 37% 44% 67% 42%
Yorkshire and the Humber 34% 38% 36% 45% 68% 41%
North East 39% 33% 36% 45% 65% 41%
East Midlands 38% 38% 36% 41% 68% 41%
South East 35% 35% 34% 41% 64% 39%
South West 31% 32% 31% 36% 64% 37%
England 36% 37% 37% 42% 66% 41%

Table 5: Proportion of adults that report less than 10 minutes brisk walking each month by age and deprivation, 2016 to 2017

Deprivation decile 19-29 years 30-39 years 40-60 years 61-74 years 75+ years Total (19+ years)
Most deprived 44% 45% 44% 46% 69% 46%
Second most deprived 45% 42% 42% 44% 66% 45%
Third more deprived 42% 42% 40% 44% 67% 44%
Fourth more deprived 42% 42% 41% 43% 65% 44%
Fifth more deprived 41% 39% 39% 42% 61% 42%
Fifth less deprived 40% 41% 40% 41% 64% 43%
Fourth less deprived 42% 41% 38% 38% 62% 42%
Third less deprived 42% 39% 37% 40% 60% 42%
Second least deprived 42% 40% 37% 38% 61% 41%
Least deprived 41% 39% 36% 41% 61% 41%
England 43% 42% 40% 42% 64% 44%

See section 4.11 for a definition of the deprivation deciles used

Table 6 below is listed in order of high to low for the 40 to 60 years age group.

Table 6: Proportion of adults that report less than 10 minutes brisk walking each month by age and ethnicity, 2016 to 2017

Ethnic group 19-29 years 30-39 years 40-60 years 61-74 years 75+ years Total (19+ years)
Chinese 49% 60% 59% 42% 75% 55%
Other ethnic group 48% 52% 54% 40% 75% 52%
Asian 49% 49% 51% 50% 66% 50%
Black 45% 50% 46% 46% 71% 48%
White-Other 49% 50% 42% 43% 58% 47%
White-British 40% 37% 38% 41% 63% 42%
Mixed 39% 48% 38% 40% 60% 41%
England 43% 42% 40% 42% 64% 44%

Table 7: Proportion of adults that report less than 10 minutes brisk walking each month by age and limiting disability or illness, 2016 to 2017

19 to 29 years 30 to 39 years 40 to 60 years 61 to 74 years 75+ years Total (19+ years)
Limiting disability or illness 39% 40% 47% 54% 74% 54%
No limiting disability or illness 43% 42% 38% 38% 55% 41%
England 43% 42% 40% 42% 64% 44%

See section 4.12 for a definition limiting disability or illness

3. Physical inactivity

Participating in less than 30 minutes of moderate intensity physical activity per week. See section 4.8 for a definition of physical inactivity

The results show:

  • almost 1 in 5 (19%) of 40 to 60 year olds (3 million adults) reported being physically inactive (Table 8)

  • 19% of men and 20% of women aged 40 to 60 years old reported being physically inactive (Table 8)

  • adults aged 40 to 60 in the West Midlands were most likely to report being physically inactive (23%), compared with 15% in the South East and South West (Table 9)

  • West Midlands reported the highest proportion of men (23%) and women (24%) aged 40 to 60 that were physically inactive (Table 10 and Table 11)

See section 4.8 for a definition of physical inactivity

Table 8: Proportion of physically inactive adults by age and sex, 2016 to 2017

Sex 19-29 years 30-39 years 40-60 years 61-74 years 75+ years Total (19+ years)
Men 17% 19% 19% 22% 37% 21%
Women 17% 20% 20% 25% 48% 24%
Persons 17% 19% 19% 24% 43% 22%

Tables 9 to 11 below are listed in order of high to low for the 40 to 60 years age group.

Table 9: Proportion of physically inactive adults by age and region, 2016 to 2017

Region 19-29 years 30-39 years 40-60 years 61-74 years 75+ years Total (19+ years)
West Midlands 19% 21% 23% 26% 44% 25%
London 18% 22% 21% 24% 47% 23%
North West 16% 20% 21% 25% 45% 23%
Yorkshire and the Humber 17% 22% 21% 27% 43% 24%
North East 21% 19% 21% 28% 44% 25%
East Midlands 18% 20% 20% 24% 45% 23%
East of England 16% 18% 18% 23% 43% 22%
South West 12% 14% 15% 19% 42% 19%
South East 15% 17% 15% 21% 40% 19%
England 17% 19% 19% 24% 43% 22%

Table 10: Proportion of physically inactive men by age and region, 2016 to 2017

Region 19-29 years 30-39 years 40-60 years 61-74 years 75+ years Total (19+ years)
West Midlands 18% 21% 23% 24% 38% 23%
North West 15% 19% 21% 23% 38% 22%
North East 23% 19% 21% 24% 36% 23%
East Midlands 18% 19% 21% 22% 39% 22%
Yorkshire and the Humber 15% 21% 21% 24% 37% 22%
London 19% 21% 20% 24% 41% 22%
East of England 18% 17% 18% 22% 39% 21%
South West 12% 13% 16% 17% 36% 17%
South East 16% 15% 14% 19% 33% 17%
England 17% 19% 19% 22% 37% 21%

Table 11: Proportion of physically inactive women by age and region, 2016 to 2017

Region 19-29 years 30-39 years 40-60 years 61-74 years 75+ years Total (19+ years)
West Midlands 20% 20% 24% 28% 49% 27%
London 17% 23% 23% 24% 51% 24%
Yorkshire and the Humber 20% 22% 22% 29% 48% 26%
North West 17% 21% 22% 27% 50% 25%
North East 19% 20% 21% 31% 50% 26%
East Midlands 18% 21% 19% 26% 49% 24%
East of England 15% 18% 18% 24% 47% 22%
South East 14% 18% 16% 23% 45% 21%
South West 12% 15% 15% 21% 46% 20%
England 17% 20% 20% 25% 48% 24%

Table 12: Proportion of physically inactive adults by age and deprivation, 2016 to 2017

Deprivation decile 19-29 years 30-39 years 40-60 years 61-74 years 75+ years Total (19+ years)
Most deprived 19% 23% 25% 30% 50% 26%
Second most deprived 18% 20% 22% 26% 46% 24%
Third more deprived 16% 21% 21% 26% 45% 23%
Fourth more deprived 19% 22% 21% 25% 43% 24%
Fifth more deprived 17% 18% 17% 25% 41% 22%
Fifth less deprived 15% 17% 18% 22% 43% 21%
Fourth less deprived 16% 17% 17% 20% 44% 20%
Third less deprived 13% 18% 16% 20% 39% 20%
Second least deprived 14% 16% 14% 19% 40% 18%
Least deprived 12% 14% 13% 19% 39% 18%
England 17% 19% 19% 24% 43% 22%

See section 4.11 for a definition of the deprivation deciles used

Table 13 below is listed in order of high to low for the 40 to 60 years age group.

Table 13: Proportion of physically inactive adults by age and ethnicity, 2016 to 2017

Ethnic group 19-29 years 30-39 years 40-60 years 61-74 years 75+ years Total (19+ years)
Chinese 23% 28% 34% 23% 51% 28%
Asian 26% 31% 31% 34% 50% 30%
Other ethnic group 28% 26% 31% 23% 46% 29%
Black 19% 31% 29% 29% 56% 29%
White-Other 20% 23% 20% 24% 41% 22%
Mixed 11% 19% 20% 26% 43% 17%
White-British 14% 15% 18% 23% 43% 21%
England 17% 19% 19% 24% 43% 22%

Table 14: Proportion of physically inactive adults by age and limiting disability or illness, 2016 to 2017

19-29 years 30-39 years 40-60 years 61-74 years 75+ years Total (19+ years)
Limiting disability or illness 20% 27% 33% 37% 56% 37%
No limiting disability or illness 16% 18% 16% 19% 32% 18%
England 17% 19% 19% 24% 43% 22%

See section 4.12 for a definition limiting disability or illness

4. Definitions and terminology

4.1 One You

Launched in March 2016, One You is a campaign by Public Health England that aims to inform, energise and engage millions of adults, especially those in the 40 to 60 age ‘mid-life’ group, to make small changes to improve their own health by eating well, moving more, drinking less and quitting smoking. One You also provides information on how people can reduce their stress levels, sleep better and encourages eligible adults to take advantage of the NHS Health Checks that are available.

One You is created for all adults, but particularly adults in mid-life (40 to 60 years) in routine and manual jobs. At age 40 and over there are still a range of small lifestyle changes people can make that have a positive impact on their health and quality of life, now and in the future. Incorporating a 10 minute brisk walk, or more, into daily life is just one example of a small change that can have a big impact, particularly for those that struggle to fit other forms of physical activity into their routine.

4.2 Active 10

To help combat physical inactivity in adults, Active 10 aims to encourage adults across England to incorporate more physical activity into their life by simply going for a brisk 10 minute walk (or more) every day.

The Active 10 campaign highlights the health and wellbeing benefits of doing 10 continuous minutes of brisk walking every day. The UK Chief Medical Officers (CMOs) highlighted walking as:

one of the easiest and most acceptable forms of physical activity…that can be incorporated into everyday life.

Evidence from PHE[footnote 2] has shown the following health benefits from 10 minutes per day or 70 to 90 minutes per week of brisk walking (or moderate intensity physical activity):

  • increased physical fitness
  • greater ease of performance of everyday physical activities
  • improved mood
  • improved quality of life
  • increased body leanness and healthier weight
  • 15% reduction in risk of early death

The Active 10 campaign promotes the free ‘Active 10’ app. The app shows users how much brisk walking they are currently doing each day and provides tips and encouragement on how they can fit 10 minute bursts of brisk walking, known as an Active 10, into their day.

4.3 Active Lives

Active Lives[footnote 1] is a survey designed to measure participation in sport and physical activity in England. The Active Lives survey[footnote 1] was conducted by Ipsos MORI on behalf of Sport England which commissioned the survey with additional funding from Public Health England, Arts Council England and the Department of Transport.

Updated brisk walking data is presented for the first time, with physical inactivity data presented for different age groups to those previously published in PHE’s Physical Activity tool.

Similar estimates for physical inactivity have been published by Sport England. The PHE physical inactivity data presented here classifies adults as age 19 and over and includes gardening activity in accordance with recommendations from the Chief Medical Officers (CMOs). Therefore these two sets of indicators are not directly comparable.

Access the Sport England Active Lives Year 2 report. See further details of the Active Lives methodology.

4.4 Sample

The data presented in this document was collected between 16 November 2016 and 15 November 2017, using either an online or paper self-report questionnaire. The analysis presented is for adults aged 19 and over, resulting in a total sample size of 189,959. Further details on the sampling methodology can be found in the Active Lives Survey 2016 to 2017 Year 2 Technical Note.

4.5 Weighting

All analyses in this document have been weighted to be representative of the population of England. Weighting is required to reduce the bias in survey estimates and to make the weighted achieved sample match the population as closely as possible. For Active Lives, the weighting corrects for the disproportionate selection of addresses across local authorities and for the selection of adults and youths within households. The weighting also adjusts the achieved sample by month to control for seasonality. In addition, by weighting to population estimates and national estimates from the Annual Population Survey (2016 to 2017), the weights should also reduce bias in the survey estimates.

Further details on the weighting methodology can be found in the Active Lives Survey 2016 to 2017 Year 2 Technical Note.

4.6 Reporting physical activity

Active Lives collects data on participation in sport and physical activity by asking:

  1. which activities (from a list) people had undertaken in the last 12 months
  2. on how many days they had done each activity in the past 4 weeks
  3. how long they usually spent on the activity per day and
  4. whether it raised their breathing rate or made them out of breath or sweaty

Respondents can also mention activities which are not listed on the questionnaire. Missing durations are imputed using the median duration for that activity and extreme durations are capped at the 95th centile for that activity.

The table below defines the activity categories used in analysis of the Active Lives Survey[footnote 1] data

Activity category Definition
Moderate intensity physical activity Any activity where the effort put in is usually enough to raise your breathing rate
Vigorous intensity physical activity Any activity where the effort put in is usually enough to make you sweat or out of breath

Each moderate intensity minute counts as 1 minute. Any vigorous activity has a double weighting so each vigorous minute counts as 2 moderate intensity minutes in the calculation of average physical activity duration.

4.7 Brisk walking

Brisk walking is defined as walking continuously for at least 10 minutes in the past 4 weeks and the effort usually put into the activity was enough to ‘raise your breathing rate’ or ‘make you out of breath or sweat’ (as reported by the respondent).

Walking data was collected by asking respondents if they had done any walking for travel or walking for leisure (rambling or Nordic walking, mountain or hill walking, hiking) in the last 12 months. Respondents were asked:

  • on how many days they had undertaken each walking activity in the past 4 weeks
  • how long they usually spent doing the activity per day
  • whether the activity raised their breathing rate or made them out of breath or sweaty

Respondents were advised to include all continuous walks of at least 10 minutes without stopping. If they stopped for short breaks, such as waiting to cross a road this still counted as continuous. Walking around the shops is excluded.

4.8 Physical inactivity

Physical inactivity is defined as participating in less than 30 minutes of moderate intensity physical activity per week.

To calculate a weekly amount of moderate intensity physical activity the total minutes of moderate intensity physical activity reported over the previous 4 weeks are divided by 4. This means that any respondent that reports less than 120 minutes of moderate intensity activity in the previous 4 weeks is classified as physically inactive.

Additional data for physical inactivity is available for England at national, regional, county and district geographies from the PHE Physical Activity tool. The tool also presents data at England level for ethnicity, disability, working status, socioeconomic class and Index of multiple deprivation (IMD) 2015 deprivation deciles.

Similar estimates for physical inactivity have been published by Sport England. Sport England produce physical inactivity estimates for those aged 16 and over and exclude gardening activity. The PHE physical inactivity data presented here classifies adults as age 19 and over and includes gardening activity in accordance with recommendations from the CMOs. Therefore these 2 sets of data are not comparable.

Access the Sport England Active Lives Year 2 report. See further details of the Active Lives methodology.

4.9 Proportions

Proportions have been calculated by dividing the weighted number of respondents with valid responses that have not done a brisk walk or are inactive, by the total weighted number of respondents with valid responses and multiplied by 100.

4.10 Population estimates

Population estimates have been used to provide an approximated number of people aged 40 to 60 years in England that are physically inactive. The proportion of respondents classified as physically inactive have been applied to the relevant total 40 to 60 year old population in England using the ONS mid-year population estimates, mid-2016.

4.11 Deprivation

Analyses by deprivation are calculated by assigning respondents to the relevant Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD) decile using their resident local authority.

The IMD is based on the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government’s English Indices of Deprivation 2015. The IMD combines information from seven domains (income deprivation, employment deprivation, education, skills and training deprivation, health deprivation and disability, crime, barriers to housing and service, living environment deprivation) to produce an overall relative measure of deprivation.

Local authority IMD scores are calculated as the population weighted average of the combined IMD scores for the Lower Super Output Areas (LSOAs) in each local authority.

Deciles are calculated by ranking the 326 local authority districts in England from most deprived to least deprived and dividing them into 10 equal groups. These deciles range from the most deprived 10% of local authorities nationally to the least deprived 10% of local authorities nationally.

4.12 Disability

Limiting disability or illness is defined as self-reporting of any physical or mental health conditions or illnesses that have lasted or are expected to last 12 months or more, that have a substantial effect on the ability to carry out normal daily activities.

Respondents were asked if they had any physical or mental health conditions or illnesses that had lasted or were expected to last 12 months or more. Those who said yes were asked whether these physical or mental health conditions or illnesses had a substantial effect on their ability to do normal daily activities. Those who answered yes were considered to have a limiting impairment.