The findings of the “Macau Population Physical Condition Assessment Survey 2020” show that compared with the monitoring results in 2015, the overall physical fitness level of local residents had slightly improved during the five-year period, among which the general physical fitness level of infants, children and adolescents (students) had decreased, while that of adults and the elderly had improved, Zhang Yanfeng, associate director of the National Institute of Sport Science’s Mass Sports Research Centre of the General Administration of Sport, said yesterday during a press conference in the Sports Bureau’s (ID) headquarters in Zape.
The survey was conducted by the Sports Bureau between July and November in conjunction with the Education and Youth Development Bureau (DSEDJ), Health Bureau (SSM), Social Welfare Bureau (IAS) and Macao Polytechnic University (MPU). It was fourth survey on the monitoring of local residents’ physical fitness. With the ageing of the population, the monitoring age group was expanded from the original three to 69 years to three to 79 years, and it was divided into four age groups, namely infants, children and adolescents (students), adults and the elderly, with a total sample size of over 10,000 locals.
According to the findings, Zhang pointed out, the height of local residents shows a trend of continuous increase, the prevalence of caries among students has improved slightly, and the overweight and obesity rate of middle-aged and senior citizens has dropped, and due to the population’s increase in age, locals’ awareness of and participation in sports both have increased. However, Zhang added, among children, teenagers and young adults, men tend to be overweight, while women tend to be “too thin due to their excessive pursuit of slenderness”.
Zhang pointed out that the physical strength of all age groups in Macau and the physical fitness of most children and students were on the decline during the survey period, with a high rate of poor vision detected in students.
Since 2005, according to the press conference, the government has carried out a five-yearly monitoring and research programme on local residents’ physical fitness with reference to the national physical fitness monitoring system, aiming to continuously improve the database of local residents’ physical fitness, understand their physical status and changing trends, and provide a reference for the development of sports, health, education and other fields so as to better carry out work in related fields and continuously improve people’s health.
Meanwhile, Zhang told the media after the press conference that Macau residents’ overall physical fitness was “clearly better than” that of their mainland counterparts.
Zhang pointed out that the COVID-19 pandemic has changed people’s way of life, resulting in a significant impact on children and teenagers in Macau, adding that the pandemic has increased the time people spend at home, which “naturally” affects childrens’ healthy development. Zhang said he believed that promoting school sports could improve students’ physical fitness and health.
Zhang Yanfeng, associate director of the National Institute of Sport Science’s Mass Sport Research Centre of the General Administration of Sport, talks to reporters yesterday after a press conference at the Sports Bureau’s (ID) headquarters in Zape. – Photo: MPDG
