JSNA Blog - September

The newly published Physical Activity Profile 2025 explores how active we are across Suffolk and why it matters. It highlights the health, social, and economic benefits of regular movement—while also revealing that many adults and children still fall short of recommended activity levels. The profile breaks down participation by age group, identifies barriers and enablers, and aligns local insight with national and global strategies to support a more active Suffolk.

The Physical Activity Profile 2025 highlights that while the benefits of movement are well known, some Suffolk residents—especially those with long-term conditions, disabilities, or from disadvantaged backgrounds—are not meeting recommended activity levels.

📉 Key Local Insights:

• Adults in Suffolk:  70.3% of adults aged 19 and over are meeting the Chief Medical Officer’s recommendations of at least 150 minutes of moderate intensity equivalent physical activity per week. This places Suffolk statistically significantly above both the East of England regional average (68.2%) and the England average (67.4%) in 2023/24. 
• Children and Young People: Children and young people’s physical activity levels in Suffolk are statistically similar to both the England (47.8%) and East of England (49.8%) averages, with just under half of 5 to 16 year olds (47.3%) meeting the Chief Medical Officer’s recommendations of at least an average of 60 minutes per day of moderate to vigorous physical activity. 

• Variation and Inequalities:
• Men in Suffolk are more likely to be active (67.0%) than women (64.2%).
• Age-related variation exists, with activity levels declining from 75.1% among 16-34 year olds to 51.6% among those aged 75 and over.
• Socio-economic disparities also persist, with higher occupational groups (NS-SEC 1-2) recording 69.3% classified as physically active, compared to 60.2% in lower groups (NS-SEC 6-8).
• Adults with a disability or long-term health condition have lower physical activity levels (54.1%) compared to those without (69.2%).
• Ethnic differences are also apparent, with White Other adults showing the highest activity levels (71.5%) compared to White British adults (64.8%) and Asian adults excluding Chinese (70.0%). 

• Barriers to physical activity: Include cost, time, lack of confidence, and limited access to inclusive opportunities—especially in rural areas.
• Enablers of physical activity: Community assets like walking groups, Fit Villages, and Men’s Sheds play a key role in supporting participation.

Physical activity remains a powerful driver of health and wellbeing across the lifecourse. While many Suffolk residents are active, there is considerable variation—particularly by age, gender, ethnicity, disability, socio-economic status, and geography. Continued investment in inclusive, accessible opportunities and active environments will be essential to sustain and build on existing progress, ensuring that everyone in Suffolk has the opportunity to lead a more active, healthier life.