Participation in sport and active leisure
Definition
The proportion of adults aged 15 years and over who were physically active, as measured by the Sport and Recreation New Zealand (SPARC) Continuous Monitoring Survey 2005.
Being physically active means they took part in at least 2.5 hours of physical activity and did five or more sessions (half an hour or more) in the seven days before being interviewed.
Relevance
Participation in sport and active leisure is a source of enjoyment and has positive benefits for people’s physical and mental health. It can also contribute to personal growth and development and is a good way to meet new people.
Current level
Seventy-one percent of adults aged 15 years and over were reported to be physically active in 2005 and nearly half (47 percent) of these were highly active. Highly active means doing some vigorous physical activity during the week, in addition to the requirements for being rated as physically active.
Table L2.1 Activity level (%) of adults, by sex, 2005
| Activity level |
Adults 15 years and over |
| |
Males |
Females |
All |
| Sedentary |
4 |
7 |
5 |
| Insufficiently active |
19 |
24 |
22 |
| Sufficiently active |
19 |
28 |
24 |
| Highly active |
56 |
38 |
47 |
| Don’t know |
2 |
3 |
2 |
| Active |
75 |
66 |
71 |
| Inactive |
23 |
31 |
27 |
Source: Sport and Recreation New Zealand (2006)
Age differences
In 2005, activity levels declined with age. The most active age group was 15–24 year olds (78 percent) and the least active was the 65 years and over group (55 percent). The rates for the 25–34 years, 35–49 years and 50–64 years age groups were 75 percent, 73 percent and 70 percent respectively.
Sex differences
Men were more likely than women to be physically active in 2005. Three-quarters of men did at least 2.5 hours of activity and five or more sessions per week, compared to two-thirds of women. Men were also much more likely to be highly active, with 56 percent in this category compared with 38 percent of women.
Ethnic differences
There was little difference in the activity levels of three of the four main ethnic groups. Māori adults had an activity level of 74 percent, Europeans 72 percent and Pacific peoples 71 percent. The activity level of the Other ethnic group was 67 percent.
Table L2.2 Activity level (%) of adults, by ethnicity, 2005
| |
European |
Māori |
Pacific |
Other |
| Sedentary |
6 |
6 |
5 |
5 |
| Insufficiently active |
21 |
19 |
19 |
27 |
| Sufficiently active |
25 |
20 |
16 |
26 |
| Highly active |
47 |
54 |
55 |
41 |
| Don’t know |
1 |
1 |
5 |
1 |
| Active |
72 |
74 |
71 |
67 |
| Inactive |
27 |
25 |
24 |
32 |
Source: Sport and Recreation New Zealand (2006)
Socio-economic differences
Activity levels rise with household income. People living in households with an annual household income (adjusted for the number of children and adults in the household) of $20,000 or less had the lowest levels of activity (64 percent). People in income groups above $30,000 had activity levels about 10 percentage points higher than this. People in the two top income groups (above $50,000) were more likely to be highly active than those in the lower income groups.
Table L2.3 Activity level (%) of adults, by adjusted household income, 2005
| |
$20,000
or less |
$20,001
–$30,000 |
$30,001
–$50,000 |
$50,001
–$70,000 |
$70,001
or more |
| Sedentary |
8 |
4 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
| Insufficiently active |
26 |
25 |
20 |
21 |
20 |
| Sufficiently active |
27 |
26 |
27 |
20 |
22 |
| Highly active |
37 |
44 |
47 |
53 |
52 |
| Don’t know |
2 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
| Active |
64 |
70 |
74 |
73 |
74 |
| Inactive |
34 |
29 |
25 |
26 |
25 |
Source: Sport and Recreation New Zealand (2006)
Regional differences
Activity levels were lower in the seven local authorities in the Auckland area (67 percent) than in the rest of New Zealand (72 percent). There was little variation in activity levels between the broad regions outside Auckland – north and central New Zealand and the South Island.
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