Teignbridge adults more active than others in the South West

Fresh statistics unveiled a promising surge in physical activity among adults in Teignbridge, outpacing the regional average in the South West, according to recent data released by Sport England.

The Active Lives survey highlights a noteworthy increase of 2 million individuals engaging in regular exercise since 2016. Nonetheless, entrenched disparities persist, notably evident in the lower activity rates among residents in deprived areas.

Among the 496 respondents aged over 16 in Teignbridge, 70% reported being physically active in the year leading up to November, exercising for more than two and a half hours weekly—a slight dip from the previous year's 71%.

This rate surpasses the South West's average, where 68% of individuals maintain a consistent physical regimen. Nationally, England's activity levels have remained steady since the preceding survey in 2021-22, with 29.5 million adhering to the Chief Medical Officers' guidelines of at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity per week, constituting 63% of the adult populace.

The Institute for Public Policy Research underscored a concerning trend, highlighting a widening gap in activity levels based on geographical location.

Stephen Frost, principal research fellow at the think tank, expressed alarm, noting that "Last year, a third of people in the most deprived neighborhoods are considered inactive compared to a fifth of those in the least deprived."

He further remarked, "The number of people considered active in the most deprived areas has dropped by 2.5% in the last seven years," emphasizing the urgent need for targeted interventions to bridge this gap.

The data also sheds light on varying activity levels within Teignbridge, with 10% of adults reporting being fairly active, engaging in physical activity for 30 to 149 minutes weekly. However, 20% admitted to being inactive—an increase from the previous year's 17%, though a decline from 2015-16's 24%.

These findings underscore the ongoing efforts needed to promote and sustain physical activity across diverse communities, addressing systemic barriers and fostering inclusive access to healthy lifestyles.