New insights into Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ physical activity and sleep
The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) has published data on the physical activity and sleep of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, measured using wrist-worn devices.
James Eynstone-Hinkins, ABS head of health statistics, said: ‘On average, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults in 2023 did almost two hours per day of moderate physical activity like brisk walking and three minutes of vigorous physical activity like running.’
Almost one in ten Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults (9 per cent) did three hours or more of moderate physical activity per day.
Adults also did around 8,400 steps per day on average and slept for just under seven and a half hours per night.
‘Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children did nearly an hour of moderate physical activity on average per day, and nine minutes of vigorous physical activity,’ said Mr Eynstone-Hinkins.
Children did around 10,800 steps per day on average and slept for just under eight and a half hours per night.
More information can be found in the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey topic on the ABS website.
Media notes
- All figures above refer to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
- ‘Wrist-worn devices’ refers to accelerometers, which are wearable devices that detect changes in speed.
- Physical activity and sleep estimates are derived from around 800 people aged 5 years and over who volunteered to wear an accelerometer for up to 7 days.
- A person’s level of light, moderate or vigorous physical activity during waking hours was determined by how much their accelerometer was moving.
- Sleep estimates are based on a person’s main sleep period. This is their longest mostly inactive period with low overall change in arm angle and is usually overnight.
- Comparing physical activity data for adults (18 years and over) and children (5 to 17 years) is not recommended because different methods were used to estimate physical activity for adults and children. See the methodology for more information.
- For any media requests, email media@abs.gov.au or call 1300 175 070 (9am-5pm Canberra time) with your questions and deadline.
- Please attribute the 'Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS)' when using our data.
- Explore our Data Crash Course for guidance on finding and interpreting ABS data, and subscribe to our release notifications to stay updated.
- Information on how the ABS will release market sensitive releases during a website or API outage.