The 10 most active states in the US — and the 10 least active

Mykenna Maniece
·4 min read

  • Experts recommend adults do at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise weekly.

  • 25.3% of US adults were classified as inactive by the CDC.

  • Mississippi had the highest prevalence of inactivity.

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.

Least active states — 10. Missouri

Family walking to the overlook of the Gateway Arch in St. Louis.
Family walking to the overlook of the Gateway Arch in St. Louis.marekuliasz/Shutterstock

Prevalence of physical inactivity among adults: 27.8%

9. Indiana

Indianapolis.
Indianapolis.Sean Pavone/Shutterstock

Prevalence of physical inactivity: 28.5%

8. Tennessee

People walking in downtown Nashville.
People walking in downtown Nashville.Fotoluminate LLC/Shutterstock

Prevalence of physical inactivity: 28.9%

7. West Virginia

People taking pictures in Harper's Ferry, West Virginia.
People taking pictures in Harper's Ferry, West Virginia.Andriy Blokhin/Shutterstock

Prevalence of physical inactivity: 30.1%

6. Oklahoma

People attend the Oklahoma State Fair in Oklahoma City in 2021.
People attend the Oklahoma State Fair in Oklahoma City in 2021.Rosemarie Mosteller/Shutterstock

Prevalence of physical inactivity: 30.5%

5. Alabama

People at Big Spring International Park in Huntsville, Alabama.
People at Big Spring International Park in Huntsville, Alabama.Katssoup/Shutterstock

Prevalence of physical inactivity: 30.7%

4. Louisiana

The French Quarter, downtown New Orleans.
The French Quarter, downtown New Orleans.travelview/Shutterstock

Prevalence of physical inactivity: 30.8%

3. Arkansas

2019 Main Street Food Truck Festival in downtown Little Rock, Arkansas.
2019 Main Street Food Truck Festival in downtown Little Rock, Arkansas.Reed Means/Shutterstock

Prevalence of physical inactivity: 31.1%

2. Kentucky

Fourth Street Live in Louisville, Kentucky.
Fourth Street Live in Louisville, Kentucky.James Kirkikis/Shutterstock

Prevalence of physical inactivity: 32.5%

1. Mississippi

Mississippi Capitol Building in Jackson, Mississippi.
Mississippi Capitol Building in Jackson, Mississippi.Chad Robertson Media/Shutterstock

Prevalence of physical inactivity: 33.2%

Most active states — 9 (Tie). New Hampshire

Runners at the 2019 Manchester Marathon in Manchester, New Hampshire.
Runners at the 2019 Manchester Marathon in Manchester, New Hampshire.Enrico Della Pietra/Shutterstock

Prevalence of physical inactivity: 21.5%

9. (Tie) Montana

Two people hiking in Glacier National Park in Montana.
Two people hiking in Glacier National Park in Montana.Alisha Bube/Shutterstock

Prevalence of physical inactivity: 21.5%

8. California

Volleyball courts in Manhattan Beach, Los Angeles.
Volleyball courts in Manhattan Beach, Los Angeles.J Wheeler/Shutterstock

Prevalence of physical inactivity: 21.2%

7. Minnesota

People biking and walking across the Stone Arch Bridge in Minneapolis.
People biking and walking across the Stone Arch Bridge in Minneapolis.Colleen Roche/Shutterstock

Prevalence of physical inactivity: 21%

6. Alaska

Skiers in the Talkeetna Mountains in Alaska.
Skiers in the Talkeetna Mountains in Alaska.DCrane/Shutterstock

Prevalence of physical inactivity: 20.8%

5. Oregon

Kayaker on the Rogue River in Oregon.
Kayaker on the Rogue River in Oregon.Sherri R. Camp/Shutterstock

Prevalence of physical inactivity: 20.7%

4. Vermont

People skiing and snowboarding at Ski Resort Mountain in Vermont.
People skiing and snowboarding at Ski Resort Mountain in Vermont.AMUX/Shutterstock

Prevalence of physical inactivity: 19.6%

3. Washington

Hikers in Mount Rainier National Park in Washington state.
Hikers in Mount Rainier National Park in Washington state.Janice Chen/Shutterstock

Prevalence of physical inactivity: 18.4%

2. Utah

Hikers in Bryce Canyon National Park in Utah.
Hikers in Bryce Canyon National Park in Utah.Maridav/Shutterstock

Prevalence of physical inactivity: 18.2%

1. Colorado

People hiking the Emerald Lake Trail at Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado.
People hiking the Emerald Lake Trail at Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado.Francisco Blanco/Shutterstock

Prevalence of physical inactivity: 17.7%

Read the original article on Business Insider