The latest Active Lives Children and Young People Survey results, released by Sport England today, reveal that in the last academic year 47.8% of all children in the country achieved the Chief Medical Officers (CMO) guidelines of taking part in an average of 60 minutes or more of sport and physical activity every day.
Covering the 2023-24 academic year, results reveal that overall activity levels were maintained from the previous year but with less than half of all children achieving the guidelines more action is needed to provide all children with the best start in life.
Concerningly the report highlights that:
- Girls are less likely to be active than boys
- Children from more affluent families are more likely to be physically active.
- Children and young people from a White or Mixed background are more likely to be active than Black or Asian children.
- Those with two or more characteristics of inequality – for example, Asian girls, or someone less affluent from a Black background – are significantly less likely to be active. They are also less likely to volunteer, and have the lowest levels of positive attitudes and wider outcomes compared to their peers with no characteristics of inequality at all
- The report offers vital insights into how children and young people feel, with happiness, resilience and trust scores all lower than when the survey began in the academic year 2017/2018.
These national trends give us an indication of the issues facing children and young people in Buckinghamshire and confirm why, as a system partner in Uniting the Movement, we remain committed to tackling inequalities and giving every young person a positive experience of physical activity.
