Physical activity

Physical inactivity is a significant, independent risk factor for a range of long term health conditions. Adult physical inactivity is now identified as the fourth leading risk factor for global mortality. In the UK this equates to an average of 17% of all-cause mortality deaths per year and reduces life expectancy by 3-5 years.

The CMO currently recommends that adults undertake a minimum of 150 minutes (2.5 hours) of moderate physical activity per week, or 75 minutes of vigorous physical activity per week or an equivalent combination of the two (MVPA), in bouts of 10 minutes or more. The overall amount of activity is more important than the type, intensity or frequency (Physical Activity Guidelines). It is estimated that between 21 and 23% of the Kent adult population is inactive according to this definition (Fingertips).

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Our resources

Data and reports

In October 2023, the Kent Director of Public Health, Dr Anjan Ghosh, delivered a keynote address to the Active Kent & Medway 'Move Together' conference. The presentation on physical activity and health discusses some of the key statistics and the opportunities to work collaboratively with partners across the wider integrated care system.

See our older people page for a report on physical activity in older adults, published in June 2025.

In August 2022, the Department for Transport published statistics about walking and cycling rates by local authority district. Our report summarises walking and cycling in Kent. The findings are affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. In general, fewer people are walking and cycling for travel (including commuting) and more for leisure. However this decreased in 2021 compared to 2020. Canterbury, Dover and Ashford districts have the highest rates of active travel among districts and Dartford and Gravesham are the lowest.

In 2018, an analysis of self-reported behaviour risk factors such as diet, physical activity, alcohol intake and smoking, was undertaken based on people engaging with the One You Kent service. This is not a representative sample of the Kent population but provides some useful insights.

External resources

A number of organisations produce statistics relating to physical activity and its impact on health, both at national and local level.

The Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID) produce a physical activity tool, bringing together data on physical activity.
The OHID Health Profiles provide snapshot overviews of health for local areas, and include some data on physically active adults.
The Public Health Outcomes Framework also provides some physical activity data
The NHS Digital publish a statistical report on obesity, physical activity and diet.
The British Heart Foundation also publishes physical activity statistics.