NCD Watch

7.5 Million Reasons to Get Moving

10 February 2026 (Tue)

Physical activity refers to any bodily movement produced by skeletal muscles that requires energy expenditure. It can take place across daily settings including home, school, work, and the community. The activities can be undertaken as part of leisure and recreation activities, play, active transportation through walking and cycling. as well as household chores. Don't skip physical activity because it matters. Regardless of the amount of exercise, it can bring health benefits.

Hong Kong has about 7.5 million residents, and everyone has reasons to be active: for weight control, improved health and fitness, pleasure, illness prevention or treatment, stress or emotional relief, etc. The choice of activities can be tailored to individual interests, time, skills and health conditions.

However, 13.8% of adults aged 18 or above had insufficient aerobic physical activity as recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO), though the prevalence had significantly dropped from 24.3% during the COVID-19 pandemic. Over 90% primary and secondary students reported not meeting the recommended at least 60 minutes of moderate- to vigorous-intensity physical activity daily. For pre-school children, more than 70% of them engaged in less than 180 minutes of physical activity per day.

For optimal health across the life course, the WHO and the Department of Health of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (Government) developed comprehensive physical activity guidelines tailored to different age and populations groups, advocating for habitual engagement in physical activity and highlighting that doing some physical activity is better than doing none. Replacing sedentary time with physical activity of any intensity including light intensity would provide health benefits.

The Government will continue to adopt a whole-of-society approach, striving to create an environment where physical activity is inclusive, affordable, and enjoyable for all.

Source: NCD Watch February 2026 (https://www.chp.gov.hk/files/pdf/ncd_watch_feb_2026_en.pdf)