1 in 5 Americans do not exercise outside of work; Where is your state located?
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About one in five Americans doesn’t engage in any physical activity outside of work, and where you live may play a big role in your likelihood of sweating during your free time, according to a new report.
New federal data shows wide differences in physical inactivity from state to state, Axios reported. Nearly 22% of adults say they do not engage in any physical activity beyond their regular job, according to the latest America’s Health Rankings report from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the United Health Foundation.
Mississippi ranks as the least active state, with 30.6% of adults not exercising outside of work. West Virginia and Arkansas follow closely at 28.7% and 28.5%, respectively, and report no additional physical activity.
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Several southern and Appalachian states recorded similarly high rates, according to the report, which analyzed national data from 2024.
Nearly one in five American adults say they do not engage in physical activity outside of work. (iStock)
Alabama, Louisiana, Kentucky and Oklahoma followed closely, each with inactivity rates of about 28%.
At the other end of the spectrum, Washington, DC, reported the lowest rate of physical inactivity overall (13.9%), although, among states, Colorado (15.6%), Vermont (16%), and Utah (17%) ranked as the most active.
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Washington and Minnesota followed closely, each with inactivity rates of approximately 17% to 18%.
Colorado, Vermont and Utah are among the busiest states in the country. (iStock)
States with major cities like New York and California generally ranked closer to the middle of the rankings. New York reported an inactivity rate of about 24%, while California 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 inactivity carries serious health consequences. The United Health Foundation notes that insufficient physical activity is linked to increased risks 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.
Physical inactivity has been linked to increased risks of heart disease, diabetes, and certain cancers. (iStock)
Federal guidelines recommend at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week, such as brisk walking, or 75 minutes of vigorous activity.
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Adults who exceed minimum activity guidelines have significantly lower risks of death from cardiovascular disease and other causes, a large study published in the journal Circulation found.
According to researchers, even adding just 10 minutes of moderate to vigorous activity per day could prevent tens of thousands of deaths a year.
Where Americans live can play a big role in their level of activity outside of work, according to a new report. (iStock)
According to the United Health Foundation, inactivity rates are significantly higher among adults with lower incomes, less education, disabilities, and those who live in rural areas. People with physically demanding jobs may also be less likely to engage in recreational exercise than those with desk jobs.
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Still, there are signs of progress: Physical inactivity is improving nationally, according to the nonprofit.
Nationally, the number of adults reporting no physical activity decreased from 24.2% in 2023 to 21.8% in 2024, the lowest level since tracking began nearly three decades ago.
New Hampshire ranked as the healthiest state overall, according to the report. (Visions of America/Joseph Sohm/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
Notable improvements were found in states such as Minnesota, Vermont and Wyoming.
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Many of the states with the lowest inactivity rates also ranked among the healthiest overall, led by New Hampshire and followed by Massachusetts, Vermont, Connecticut and Utah. Louisiana was the least healthy state overall, followed by Arkansas, Mississippi, Alabama and West Virginia, according to the report.
“As we reflect on the findings of this year’s Annual Report, we must rededicate ourselves to improving health care in this country and creating a healthier nation for all,” Dr. Margaret-Mary Wilson, executive vice president and chief medical officer of UnitedHealth Group, said in a statement.
Deirdre Bardolf is a lifestyle writer at News Digital.