Recent findings from the Fiji STEPS Survey 2025 reveal a concerning trend regarding physical activity levels in Fiji, with over half of the population reportedly not participating in any vigorous physical activity. The survey, which sheds light on the physical health of various demographics, indicates that 56.4 percent of respondents engage in no vigorous activity, revealing significant health implications.
A pronounced gender disparity emerged from the survey, showing that 75.3 percent of women do not take part in vigorous physical activities, compared to 38.5 percent of men. This gap underscores the need for targeted interventions to encourage women to adopt more active lifestyles.
Age appears to play a crucial role in physical inactivity. Among those aged 60 to 69, over 82 percent reported no involvement in vigorous activities, while 43.8 percent of young adults aged 18 to 29 also indicated a lack of participation. This trend suggests that both older and younger demographic groups may require specific strategies to promote engagement in physical activity.
The survey also highlights widespread sedentary behavior, with Fijians spending an average of nearly four hours each day being sedentary. Urban residents were found to be more sedentary, averaging 236 minutes per day sitting or reclining, in contrast to 212 minutes for those in rural communities. Additionally, the survey noted disparities in physical inactivity by ethnicity, with individuals of Indian descent reporting higher sedentary times than iTaukei Fijians.
Interestingly, despite the high levels of inactivity, nearly 60 percent of respondents indicated that they had received advice from healthcare professionals in the past year regarding the importance of increasing physical activity. This suggests an awareness of the issue, but it also highlights the challenges in translating advice into action.
The results of the survey illustrate a “physical activity paradox” in Fiji, where rural residents tend to accumulate more total physical activity through their daily tasks yet engage in less vigorous activity than their urban counterparts. This disconnect emphasizes the complexity of promoting physical health across different environments and demographic groups.
These findings call for concerted efforts to address physical inactivity in Fiji, especially among women and older adults. By fostering a culture of active living and leveraging the advice of healthcare professionals, there is potential for improvement in the overall health and wellbeing of the population.
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