Lifestyles
Watching TV is top activity for men and women
Selected activities performed in free time, by sex, 2006/07, England
Watching television was the most common leisure activity for over eight out of ten men and women in England in 2006/07 (84 per cent and 85 per cent respectively). Spending time with family and friends was the second most popular activity for eight out of ten women (82 per cent) compared with more than seven in ten men (75 per cent).
Women were also more likely to shop in their free time than men, with three-quarters (75 per cent) doing so compared with just over half of men (53 per cent). Similarly women were more likely to take part in cultural activities such as reading (73 per cent compared with 56 per cent of men) and arts and crafts (25 per cent compared with 13 per cent).
On the other hand men were more likely to perform physical activities such as DIY (46 per cent compared with 26 per cent of women) and sport and exercise (58 per cent compared with 43 per cent of women). Men were also more likely to use the Internet (49 per cent and 40 per cent respectively) and twice the proportion of men than women played computer games (27 per cent and 12 per cent respectively).
Men are more likely to have shopped online than women. Nearly six out of ten men in the UK (58 per cent) had ever purchased over the Internet in 2007 compared with just under half of women (48 per cent). Overall the most popular internet purchases in the 12 months prior to interview were films, music or DVDs, which a slightly higher proportion of men than women purchased (53 per cent and 49 per cent respectively).
Around twice the proportion of men purchased computer software and hardware and electronic equipment than women. For example, 26 per cent of men purchased electronic equipment compared with 13 per cent of women. Conversely a higher proportion of women than men used the Internet to purchase food and groceries (24 per cent of women and 17 per cent of men) and tickets for events (36 per cent compared with 31 per cent).
Selected sports, games and physical activities among adults, by sex, 2006/07, England
The most popular sporting activity (excluding walking), according to 14 per cent of all adults aged 16 and over in England who participated in sports in 2006/07, was indoor swimming or diving. This was the most popular sporting activity for women (17 per cent). The second most popular category of sporting activity was health, fitness, gym, or conditioning activities (14 per cent). Although there was very little difference in the proportion of men and women participating in this activity, it was the one most favoured by men along with outdoor football (both 14 per cent).
Outdoor football was one of the sporting activities that had the largest difference in level of participation between men and women: 14 per cent of men had participated in the last four weeks compared with 2 per cent of women. The other large difference between men and women was participation in snooker, pool or billiards, where just 3 per cent of women participated compared with 12 per cent of men. Conversely women participated in keep-fit, aerobics and dance exercise more than men, 10 per cent compared with 3 per cent.
Source: Taking Part: The National Survey of Culture, Leisure and Sport, Department for Culture, Media and Sport, (2006-2007; Internet access 2007, Omnibus Survey, Office for National Statistics
Notes: Engagement in some of the leisure activities recorded here also comes up later in the Taking Part questionnaire. Prevalence rates differ slightly due to the format and definition of questions/activities. Percentages do not add up 100 per cent as respondents could give more than one answer.
The category 'Using the Internet' in the leisure activities section includes emailing.
Participation in sports, games and physical activities relates to the four weeks prior to interview.
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