Respondents were asked whether they had to cut down on their normal activities in the two weeks prior to interview as a result of illness or injury.

From 1972 to 1996, the proportion of those reporting restricted activity increased from 8% to 16% but since then it has declined to 14% in 2001. Reported acute sickness increased with age but not as sharply as for chronic conditions. About one in ten of those aged under 16 had an acute sickness which restricted their activities during the reference period, increasing to a quarter of those aged 75 and over.

In 2001, 13% of males and 15% of females reported restricted activity due to illness or injury during the two weeks prior to interview. The largest difference in reported acute sickness between men and women was in the 65 to 74 age group; 21% of women reported restricted activity compared with 16% of men. Women had on average 32 days restricted activity per year whereas men had 28.