With benefits like increased longevity, improved sleep, and a strengthened immune system, physical activity is a key component of maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
The Department of Health and Human Services' "Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans" recommends adults do 150 minutes of moderate-intensity or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity aerobic physical activity a week, at minimum.
However, a 2022 report by the CDC found that over a quarter of US adults are inactive outside their jobs.
To determine adults' physical inactivity levels, the CDC used data collected by the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System from 2017 to 2020. Surveyed individuals were asked, "During the past month, other than your regular job, did you participate in any physical activities or exercises such as running, calisthenics, golf, gardening, or walking for exercise?" Those who responded no were classified as inactive.
Adults from 52 jurisdictions were included in the survey, including 49 states, as well as Washington, DC, Guam, and Puerto Rico. (New Jersey was the only state excluded because data was not collected in 2019).
With the survey responses, the CDC charted how physical inactivity levels varied by state as well as by race and ethnicity, noting that there are a variety of barriers present that may be preventing more adults from getting an adequate amount of physical activity.
Such barriers include a lack of access to safe spaces like parks, minimal time, and an absence of social support.
Here are the 10 least active and 10 most active states in the US based on the prevalence of physical inactivity as determined by the CDC.