More than one in ten (14%) Britons class themselves as a couch potato or as someone who never exercises, just under half (45%) say they exercise only occasionally, and a quarter (26%) say they walk for less than 30 minutes a day, according to a new survey released today by the British Lung Foundation. Less than a third (30%) of Britons take part in regular aerobic exercise (at least 20 minutes 3 or more times per week).
As well as a poor overall picture, the survey shows a north-south divide, with more people (19%) in the North describing themselves as a couch potato or someone who never exercises compared to 13% in the South and in the Midlands, 1 in 3 (30%) Northerners walking for less than 30 minutes a day compared to a quarter (23%) of people in the South, and only 1 in 3 (35%) Northerners saying they exercise regularly compared to 41% in the South.
Other survey findings:
- People in Wales were more likely to walk for 30 minutes a day than the rest of the UK whilst people in Anglia were the least likely
- Nearly a half (45%) of people in the South West undertake regular aerobic exercise – the highest rate in the UK compared to under a fifth (18%) of people in the North East – the lowest rate in the UK
- The lowest percentage of people (8%) who describe themselves as a couch potato or someone who never exercises live in the South West; the highest percentages (20%) are in the North East and North West
The survey, carried out by GfK NOP, is released as the British Lung Foundation launches its Big Breaths campaign to raise awareness of the importance of lung health. The charity says exercise is important for lung health. By exercising and taking bigger breaths, we strengthen the muscles around our lungs and deliver more oxygen to our muscles everywhere, giving them energy and strength.
Despite the poor findings, more than half (56%) believe their lungs are healthy for their age, although most (93%) have no idea of their vital capacity* - an important measure of lung health. A third (30%) wrongly believe that damaged lungs can be repaired.
The BLF is calling on everyone to make sure they can take big breaths by following its new Airway Code - ten tips for lung health which as well as taking regular exercise include staying smoke-free, protecting the lungs from dust and fumes, and being asbestos aware.
Our lungs are exposed to dirt and dust all the time but we can't give them a good wash like we can our hands and face,” says Dame Helena Shovelton, Chief Executive of the British Lung Foundation. “If we follow the Airway Code and give our lungs a big dose of oxygen every day through taking more exercise, we’ll be giving our lungs the TLC they need and giving ourselves more energy all round."
Ends
Also available
- Ten facts you didn’t know about your lungs
- The Airway Code – Ten top tips for lung health
- Case studies
- Media spokespeople
*Vital capacity measures the maximum volume of air that we can exhale after taking in a big breath. It is measured with a spirometry test and can help make a diagnosis of underlying lung disease.
For more information or interviews please contact Casey Purkiss on 020 7688 5564 or Katherine Huntly on 020 7688 5588.
The survey of 1000 adults throughout the UK was carried out for the BLF by GfK NOP in May 2008.
Out of hours: 07976 227 076
For more infomation about Breathe Easy Week please click here.
