The English may be obsessed with sport - but for half of the population that does not go beyond picking up the remote control.

A study of nearly 364,000 people in every corner of the country, commissioned by Sport England, reveals half of the population are doing no exercise at all.

The survey reveals just one in five adults hit the recommended target of 30 minutes of exercise three times a week. Those most likely to exercise three times a week are young wealthy white men living in the south-east of England.

The results will put pressure on local authorities to improve sporting provision - swimming pools, sports grounds and gyms - in areas where participation is at its lowest. Researchers found that these were generally the areas with the worst facilities.

Sport England will use the data to decide which areas need more facilities, and is urging local authorities to take stock of their own results and invest in facilities ahead of the 2012 Olympics. Derek Mapp, chair of Sport England, said: "The power of sport is immense, not just improving the health of the nation and helping to build communities, but because it is fun and makes us feel better both physically and mentally. We need to use these results to ensure that we reach out to more of those currently missing out on sport and its benefits."

Sue Tibballs, chief executive of the Women's Sports Foundation, said the results were shocking. "Media coverage dedicated to women's sport is almost non-existent. Until these issues are addressed, and the perception that doing sport and exercise is a 'male' pursuit is altered, then we are concerned that the number of women taking part will remain at these worrying levels."

From: A question of sport: half of Britons do no exercise at all, Polly Curtis, health correspondent, The Guardian, 8 12 06

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