CDC Issues Updated Maps Detailing America’s High Levels of Inactivity

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) this week published updated maps and data on physical inactivity among adults, defined as not participating in any physical activities outside of work over the last month. More than one in five adults is inactive in all but four U.S. states.

State and territorial-level maps of physical inactivity range from 17.7 percent of people in Colorado to 49.4 percent in Puerto Rico. Seven states and one territory had 30 percent or more of all adults physically inactive. By region, the South had the highest prevalence of inactivity (27.5 percent) and the West had the lowest prevalence of inactivity (21.0 percent). CDC reports that California’s prevalence of inactivity is 21.2 percent of adults.

The CDC notes that physical inactivity contributes to poor outcomes related to sleep, blood pressure and anxiety, heart disease, several cancers, and dementia (including Alzheimer’s disease). The new maps published by CDC are based on combined 2017-2020 data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS).

The updated maps demonstrate notable differences in physical inactivity levels by race and ethnicity. Overall, Hispanic adults (32.1 percent) had the highest prevalence of physical inactivity outside of work, followed by non-Hispanic Black (30.0 percent), non-Hispanic American Indian/Alaska Native (29.1 percent), non-Hispanic white (23.0 percent), and non-Hispanic Asian adults (20.1 percent).

The CDC further details various solutions and strategies to improve physical activity. Additional information from the CDC is available here.