Exercise: People are exercising less than they did four years ago, with just 51 per cent of respondents engaging in some form of regular physical activity.
This compares with 52 per cent in 1998 when a quarter of respondents reported doing mild exercise four times a week, as against just 22 per cent in the latest survey, conducted last year. The report, published yesterday, also shows that more than a third of middle-aged people, who are drivers and also drink, admitted getting behind the wheel of a car having consumed two or more alcoholic beverages.
There was better news on compliance with seat-belt regulations,with 84 per cent of respondents claiming to always use one when riding in the front seat of a car, an increase of 16 per cent on 1998.
On exercise, the report shows a contrast between genders. Some 54 per cent of women compared to 50 per cent of men said they engaged in some from of physical activity, defined as mild exercise most days of the week and/or moderate-strenuous exercise three days a week.
Some 35 per cent of women said they engaged in moderate exercise three times a week, compared with 26 per cent of men. But only 6 per cent of women said they engaged in strenuous exercise three days a week compared to 14 per cent of men.
On accidents, 17 per cent of respondents indicated having had an injury in the past two years which interfered with their daily activities, down 1 per cent on 1998. Some 89 per cent of such injuries were said to have been accidental. Men were more accident-prone, with 21 per cent reporting an injury compared to 14 per cent women.
