The French are not moving enough. On average, they take less than 8,000 steps per day. But they are ready to make an effort by taking more stairs, for example.
Objective: 10,000 steps. The French have, it seems, resolved according to the barometer on physical activity of the insurer Attitude Prévention (1). Today, three quarters of the inhabitants of France do not follow the recommendations of the World Health Organization (WHO) to take the 10,000 steps requested. This is not for lack of information: one in two respondents is aware of the benefits of this regular activity.
The French walk more
On average, the French reach 7,889 daily steps. Insufficient, but progressing: 386 more steps were recorded in 2016 compared to the previous year. The participants are obviously on the right track, since they estimate that 2,000 additional steps are possible. This is indeed a minor effort: this distance corresponds to 20 minutes of walking, 15 minutes of cycling or running, or 40 minutes of yoga.
How to move more? By taking the stairs instead of the elevator, answer the majority of respondents (86%). They are slightly less likely to get up regularly at work, as part of the fight against a sedentary lifestyle. Getting off a station earlier is a more controversial measure: only half of the French consent to it.
Apart from these small gestures, 48% of the people questioned affirmed to practice a physical and sporting activity. At the top of the disciplines, walking, cycling and running. They are a little more active since they take an average of 1,500 steps more than sedentary people.
The rain discourages
The objective of this activity is, in 73% of cases, physical maintenance. 58% then cite the search for well-being. The notion of pleasure and fun comes in 3e position. The less active, on the other hand, explain that they lack the time to practice such activities.
It must be said that the French are easily discouraged. The rain thus pushes to stay at home. Bad weather reduces the number of daily steps by 1,300. Being on weekends also has a significant effect on laziness. Paradoxically, therefore, citizens are more active during a working week.
Parents and men are the two categories that move the most. And overall, Ile-de-France residents and inhabitants of the North-East are more determined than their compatriots in the Atlantic and Mediterranean.
Children take what is presented to them as a model. It is therefore no surprise that toddlers move more if their parents set an example. But 69% of them practice physical and sports activity. Their motivation is very different from that of adults: more than 7 in 10 cite fun and let off steam.
(1) Annual barometer carried out with Opinion Way and IRMES among 1,048 French people aged 18 to 64 as well as 300 parents of children aged 6 to 17.
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