Regular physical activity strengthens the heart and improves lung function. It helps building healthy bones, improving muscle fitness, and maintaining a healthy body weight. It can also reduce the symptoms of anxiety and depression. Participation in physical activity can also assist in the social development of youth. 

 

The World Health Organization (WHO) defines physical activity as any bodily movement produced by skeletal muscles that requires energy expenditure – including activities undertaken while working, playing, carrying out household chores, travelling, and engaging in recreational pursuits. While children and youth aged 5-17 should accumulate at least 60 minutes of moderate- to vigorous-intensity physical activity every day, youth aged 18 and above should do at least 150 minutes a week of moderate-intensity aerobic physical activity, or at least 75 minutes a week of vigorous-intensity aerobic physical activity, or an equivalent combination of moderate- and vigorous-intensity activity.

 

For more information, please refer to the Change for Health website: http://www.change4health.gov.hk/

 

 

Local Statistics on Physical Activity among Youth

(1) Proportion of youth aged 13 to 19 who participated in moderate-or-above intensity physical activity at least 3 days a week with accumulation of 30 minutes or above per day in a week before enumeration by sex, in 2008 and 2011/12 

 

 

(2) Proportion of youth aged 13 to 19 who accumulated at least 60 minutes of moderate-or-above intensity physical activity per day in a week before enumeration by sex, in 2011/12 

 

 

Note: 

*  Weighted figures (based on 13-19 years old samples)

 

Sources of data: 

Consultancy Study on Sport for All – Participation Patterns of Hong Kong People in Physical Activities. Summary Report. Hong Kong SAR: Leisure and Cultural Services Department; 2009

Healthy Exercise for All Campaign – Physical Fitness Test for the Community. Final Summary Report. Hong Kong SAR: Leisure and Cultural Services Department; 2012