Physical activity by adults

Published 21 November 2018

Why this indicator is important

Having a healthy lifestyle can improve a person's health outcomes.

Lifestyle changes, such as stopping smoking, reducing alcohol consumption, eating well and exercising regularly, can prevent up to one third of all cancers.^[1]

Being physically active can help reduce the risk of several cancers, including:

• bowel
• breast (after menopause)
• endometrium.^[1]

About this indicator

This indicator shows the proportion of adults in NSW doing the recommended amount of physical activity (at least 150 minutes per week).  

Of those surveyed in 2016, 41.7% of adults in NSW reported doing adequate physical activity.

This is shown below by local health districts (LHDs), compared with average of those surveyed in NSW. 

Proportion of adults* who undertake adequate physical activity**, by LHD (ranked), 2011 and 2016

N = Number of survey respondents, 2016

* Persons aged 16 years and over

** At least 150 minutes per week, over five separate sessions.

Notes:

1. Data source: NSW Population Health Survey (sourced from HealthStats NSW, Centre for Epidemiology and Evidence, NSW Ministry of Health. Available at www.healthstats.nsw.gov.au). Data presented here are based on data available on the HealthStats NSW website at the time of data extraction.

2. Figures displayed in the graph are for 2016.

Reference:

1. Whiteman DC, Webb PM, Green AC, Neale RE, Fritschi L, Bain CJ, et al. Cancers in Australia in 2010 attributable to modifiable factors: summary and conclusions. Aust N Z J Public Health 2010 Oct;39(5),477–84.