A recent survey conducted by ukactive reveals a concerning trend in physical activity levels among Scottish adults. According to the findings, 44% of Scottish adults report being less physically active than they were five years ago, before the COVID-19 pandemic. This decline is more pronounced in Scotland compared to other UK nations.
The survey carried out by Savanta in June 2024 shows that only 21% of Scots believe they are more active now than five years ago. In contrast, England and Northern Ireland reported 32% of adults moving less, while Wales reported 34%.
This decline in physical activity could have significant implications for public health and the economy. The Scottish Health Survey showed a slight decrease in adults meeting the Chief Medical Officers’ recommendation for physical activity, dropping from 66% in 2019 to 65% in 2022.
This comes after a study on obesity in men found that cash incentives had proved useful when encouraging weight loss. The study targeted men specifically, as they are often harder to reach with traditional weight loss programs. The study, led by Professor Pat Hoddinott at the University of Stirling, involved 585 men across Scotland, England, and Northern Ireland.
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