Statistics show Norwegians exercise more than before

Four out of five Norwegians exercise at least once a week, which represents an increase of nearly 20 percentage points over the past 15 years, the country's statistics bureau said on Wednesday.

Eighty-three percent of the population aged 16 or older report exercising at least once a week, Statistics Norway said, citing a survey on living conditions 2016.

This level is stable since the survey in 2013. Compared to earlier surveys, however, the level of physical activity in the population has clearly increased. In 2001, 66 percent exercised on a weekly basis, while this percentage was 73 in 2004 and 2007.

Only five percent of the population never engage in any form of exercise or sports activities, the statistics bureau said.

As before, young people have a higher activity level than older people. While more than 80 percent of persons aged 16-66 years exercise every week, the corresponding percentage among persons over 66 is 75 percent.

At the same time, the activity level of the elderly has increased over time among both men and women. The share of women aged 67 years or over that exercises on a weekly basis increased from 51 percent in 2001 to 73 percent in 2016. Among men in this age group the percentage that exercises every week increased from 61 to 77 percent.

Fast walking is the most common form of exercise for the population as a whole. Seventy-three percent report having engaged in this activity during the past 12 months. Other common types of exercise are strength training, jogging and other outdoors activities such as cycling and cross-country skiing. Endit