About 1 in 5 Americans receive nothing. physical activity Where you live can have a big impact on how likely you are to sweat outside of work, according to a new report.
New federal data shows wide variation in physical inactivity across states. Axios reported. Nearly 22% of adults say they are not physically active outside of their regular jobs, according to the latest American Health Rankings report from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and United Health Foundation.
Mississippi State Rank It is the least active state, with 30.6% of adults reporting no exercise outside of work. West Virginia and Arkansas follow closely at 28.7% and 28.5%, respectively, reporting no extra physical activity.
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Similar high rates were seen in several states in the South and Appalachia. According to the report, This is a survey of national data for 2024.
Almost 1 in 5 U.S. adults report no physical activity outside of work. (St. Petersburg)
Alabama, Louisiana, Kentucky and Oklahoma follow closely behind, each reporting an inactivity rate of about 28%.
At the other end of the spectrum, Washington, D.C., reported the lowest overall physical inactivity rate of any state at 13.9%. Colorado (15.6%); Vermont (16%) and Utah (17%) ranked as the most active states.
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Washington and Minnesota closely follow, each reporting inactivity rates of about 17% to 18%.
Colorado, Vermont, and Utah rank among the most active states in the nation. (St. Petersburg)
States with large cities, such as New York and California, generally ranked near the middle of the ranking. New York state reported an inactivity rate of about 24%, while California’s inactivity rate was close to the national average at 21%.
Tennessee was the only state with no data available.
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Public health experts warn that lack of exercise has serious health implications. The United Health Foundation notes that insufficient physical activity is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. type 2 diabetes, certain cancers, dementia, Anxiety and depression.
“Being physically active and reducing sedentary behavior improves health at all ages,” the report states.
Lack of exercise is associated with an increased risk of heart disease, diabetes, and certain cancers. (St. Petersburg)
Federal guidelines recommend at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise (such as a brisk walk) or 75 minutes of vigorous exercise per week.
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A large study published in the journal Circulation found that adults who exceeded minimum activity guidelines had a significantly lower risk of death from cardiovascular disease and other causes.
Researchers say adding just 10 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous activity per day can prevent tens of thousands of deaths a year.
Where Americans live may have a big impact on how active they are outside of work, a new report finds. (St. Petersburg)
According to the United Health Foundation, inactivity rates are significantly higher among adults with low incomes, low education, people with disabilities, and adults living in rural areas. People with physically demanding jobs may also be less likely to exercise recreationally than those with desk jobs.
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Still, the nonprofit says there are signs of progress, with physical inactivity improving across the country.
Nationally, the number of adults who reported being physically inactive fell from 24.2% in 2023 to 21.8% in 2024, the lowest level since tracking began nearly 30 years ago.
New Hampshire ranks as the healthiest state overall, according to the report. (Visions of America/Joseph Sohm/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
States such as Minnesota, Vermont, and Wyoming have seen notable improvements.
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Many of the states with the lowest inactivity rates also rank among the healthiest people New Hampshire topped the list overall, followed by Massachusetts, Vermont, Connecticut, and Utah. According to the report, Louisiana was the least healthy state overall, followed by Arkansas, Mississippi, Alabama and West Virginia.
“As we reflect on the findings of this year’s annual report, we must recommit ourselves to improving health care in this country and creating a healthier nation for everyone,” Dr. Margaret Mary Wilson, UnitedHealth Group’s executive vice president and chief medical officer, said in a statement.
