Less than 8pc of Hong Kong students meet WHO exercise standard

A recent survey found that less than 8 percent of students in Hong Kong engaged in physical activities that meet the World Health Organization's exercise standard, which recommends 60 minutes or more of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity daily.

The survey, conducted by the Physical Fitness Association and the University of Hong Kong, found the situation was worse in secondary school students.

In primary schools, only 6.1 percent of girls met the standard, while it’s less than 20 percent for boys. The situation is even more severe among secondary school students, with only 3.9 percent of boys and 2.7 percent of girls meeting the standard.

Meanwhile, in terms of grip strength - an indicator of the forearm muscle strength, 12-year-old boys' average grip strength has decreased from 19.5 kilograms in 2015 to 18.4 kilograms in 2023, the research team said.

Compared to regions such as the mainland, the Middle East, and South Asia, Hong Kong students have the weakest grip strength, it added.

Patrick Ip Pak-keung, a clinical professor at the University of Hong Kong’s department of paediatrics and adolescent medicine, noted that exercise can boost immunity, reduce the risk of chronic diseases in adulthood, alleviate stress, and enhance concentration.

He said following the Covid pandemic, parents are overly focused on their children's academic performance at the expense of physical activity.

Without good physical health, students' learning performance may be impacted and he encourages parents to engage their children in more physical activities.