Only One in Five Young People Meeting Exercise Targets, Report Finds

Majority of Jersey’s Young People Falling Short of Exercise Guidelines, Report Reveals

Fewer than 22% of young people in Jersey are meeting the recommended daily levels of physical activity, according to the latest figures from Statistics Jersey.

While the numbers represent a modest improvement since 2021, the report shows a concerning trend: physical activity levels tend to peak in primary school years and decline sharply as children grow older. The data highlights a significant gender gap too, with Year 10 and Year 12 girls reporting the lowest levels of regular exercise.

Health guidelines recommend that children and teenagers aged five to 18 engage in at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity each day. However, the survey found that just 16% of girls achieved this daily target over the course of a week, compared with 28% of boys.

Among younger year groups, around a third of boys in Years 4, 6, and 8 hit the recommended activity levels, showing early enthusiasm that tends to taper off in later years. Year 10 students were the only group not to show any improvement since 2019.

Deputy Malcolm Ferey, Assistant Minister for Children and Families, stressed the importance of access to safe and open spaces: “We must ensure our parks, playgrounds and green areas are welcoming and accessible so young people feel encouraged to get active.”

Elliott Powell of Jersey Sport pointed to financial pressures as a major barrier. “The cost of living is a significant obstacle for many families,” he said, adding that support schemes like the Sport Access Programme are helping to address the gap.

“It's promising to see a small uptick in reported activity levels,” Powell added, “but we know there’s more to be done to support every child in leading an active life.”