The Physical Activity Profiles of Adult Ethnic Groups in England
We aimed to identify which types of activity contribute to overall physical activity in ethnic groups who achieve the UK physical activity recommendations. We investigated how this varies according to sex and age within each ethnic group.
METHODS:
The Health Survey for England is a nationally representative, cross-sectional survey which is conducted annually. In 1999 and 2004 the samples for ethnic minority populations were boosted, allowing for more detailed analysis on ethnic minority physical activity. We merged the two survey years and analysed the self-reported physical activity measures available. We analysed data from over 7000 people aged 16 and above years who met the UK physical activity recommendations that were published in 1999 and 2004. The proportions of total physical activity achieved through walking, sports, housework and manual DIY were calculated. We stratified by age group and examined associations between ethnic group, sex and socioeconomic status.
RESULTS:
In all age and ethnic groups, including the White British population, all women had more activity through housework in comparison to men. Among women in the 16 to 34 age-group, more Caribbean and Chinese women were being active through sports (43% and 50%) than the other ethnic groups. In the 35 to 54 age-group, 41% of Bangladeshi men’s activity came from walking, which was the highest percentage of walking for any male ethnic group in this age category. The percentage that walking and sports contributed to activity declined with age for both men and women, for all ethnic groups.
CONCLUSIONS:
Ethnic minority groups in the UK are active in different ways, and this varies by age, sex and socioeconomic status. Walking was significant for all age groups and ethnicities and is an accessible activity. These results can be used to appropriately target population level interventions for increasing physical activity levels in adult ethnic minority populations.