Physical activity levels have stagnated globally and across the UK. In England, 2.2 million children are now doing less than 30 minutes of activity a day — a rise compared with pre-pandemic levels — and only 48% are meeting the UK’s Chief Medical Officers’ (CMO) recommendation of at least 60 minutes of physical activity a day. Girls, children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), and those from disadvantaged backgrounds continue to face the greatest barriers to being active.

Key findings in the report, which combines UK-wide data and international evidence, shows:

• One in ten children in the UK are obese or at risk of obesity.
• Physical activity levels have stagnated for the fifth year running.
• 1 in 10 young people in the UK have low wellbeing
• 70% of parents believe that as a result of digital distractions children are spending less time being active 
• Nearly 1 in 5 students have had PE lessons cancelled this academic year
• Poor physical development is impacting school readiness with teachers reporting one in three children were not school ready. 

New research included in the report highlights that amongst teachers and parents, awareness of the CMO recommendations continues to be low, with 34% and 32% aware respectively.

However, despite these concerning figures, the report does indicate young people have aspirations to be more active. Positively, amongst children, awareness of the CMO guidelines is much higher, with 75% of children aware that they should be active for 60 minutes or more each day. There is both a desire and a readiness across schools and communities to reimagine how we prioritise movement and wellbeing:

• 93% of young people believe PE is important
• 71% want to be more active at school
• 96% of teachers agree that sport and play benefit mental wellbeing.