Key points
- Differences in the prevalence of physical inactivity among U.S. adults exist by race/ethnicity and location.
- Overall, combined data from 2017 through 2020 show physical inactivity prevalence of 25.3%.
- These maps reflect physical activity done outside of work.
Background
Press Release | What Can Be Done
(January 2022)—These maps use data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS). CDC and state health departments conduct the ongoing state-based, telephone interview survey. This survey asked respondents if they had done any physical activity outside of their regular job in the past month. People who said "no" were classified as inactive.
The BRFSS question read:
These maps use combined data from 2017 through 2020 for 52 jurisdictions:
- 49 states.
- The District of Columbia.
- The territories of Guam and Puerto Rico.
Data for New Jersey were not reported because data were not collected in 2019. Combining 4 years of data allowed analysis of physical inactivity among different racial and ethnic groups. Data from individual years are available through BRFSS.
Overall, the prevalence of physical inactivity was 25.3%.
Previous maps were released in January 2020 with data from 2015 through 2018. Two years in that analysis overlap with data in this analysis. Therefore, the two editions of maps should not be compared for trends.
Race/ethnicity
Overall, non-Hispanic Asian adults (20.1%) had the lowest prevalence of physical inactivity outside of work followed by non-Hispanic White (23.0%), non-Hispanic American Indian/Alaska Native (29.1%), non-Hispanic Black (30.0%), and Hispanic or Latino/a adults (32.1%).
- 2 states (Alaska and Montana) and Guam had a physical inactivity prevalence of 30% or higher among non-Hispanic Asian adults.*
- 5 states (Arkansas, Kentucky, Mississippi, Oklahoma, and West Virginia) had a physical inactivity prevalence of 30% or higher among non-Hispanic White adults.
- 27 states had a physical inactivity prevalence of 30% or higher among non-Hispanic American Indian/Alaska Native adults.*
- 23 states and the District of Columbia had a physical inactivity prevalence of 30% or higher among non-Hispanic Black adults.*
- 25 states and Puerto Rico had a physical inactivity prevalence of 30% or higher among Hispanic or Latino/a adults.
*49 of 52 jurisdictions had sufficient data to be included in these results.
Physical activity can benefit everyone, but lack of access to safe and convenient places to be physically active may contribute to these racial and ethnic disparities.
Resource
Location
The lowest prevalence of inactivity outside of work was 17.7% (Colorado), and the highest prevalence was 49.4% (Puerto Rico). Regionally, states in the South (27.5%) had the highest prevalence of physical inactivity, followed by the Midwest (25.2%), Northeast (24.7%), and West (21.0%).
- 4 states (Colorado, Utah, Washington, and Vermont) had a physical inactivity prevalence of 17.7% to less than 20%.
- 24 states and the District of Columbia had a physical inactivity prevalence of 20% to less than 25%.
- 14 states and Guam had a physical inactivity prevalence of 25% to less than 30%.
- 7 states (West Virginia, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Alabama, Kentucky, Arkansas, and Mississippi) and Puerto Rico had a physical inactivity prevalence of 30% or more.
What can be done
Reducing physical inactivity requires a comprehensive effort from many groups—including states, communities, worksites, and individuals—to make it easier for everyone to move more. Community leaders, for example, can encourage school and youth physical activity programs and support the design of active-friendly communities.
The racial and ethnic differences in physical inactivity underscore the need to address barriers to physical activity for groups more likely to be inactive. Examples of barriers include lack of safe spaces for physical activity such as parks, unsafe streets with high-speed traffic and no sidewalks, lack of time, and lack of social supports.
Everyone has a role to play to increase physical activity. Learn more about strategies to increase physical activity. Also, get involved in Active People, Healthy NationSM, CDC's national initiative to help 27 million people become more physically active by 2027.
Individuals and families are encouraged to build physical activity into their everyday routines. See recommended physical activity amounts for people ages 3 years and older.
Map: overall physical inactivity outside of work
Prevalence of Self-Reported Physical Inactivity* Among U.S. Adults by State and Territory, BRFSS, 2017–2020
Source: Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System
* Respondents were classified as physically inactive if they responded "no" to the following question: "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?"
** Sample size less than 50, the relative standard error (dividing the standard error by the prevalence) greater than or equal to 30%, or no data in at least 1 year.
Maps: physical inactivity outside of work by race/ethnicity
Prevalence of self-reported physical inactivity* among U.S. adults by race/ethnicity, state, and territory, BRFSS, 2017–2020
Non-Hispanic Asian adults
Source: Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System
* Survey respondents were classified as physically inactive if they responded "no" to the following question: "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?"
** Sample size less than 50, the relative standard error (dividing the standard error by the prevalence) greater than or equal to 30%, or no data in at least 1 year.
Non-Hispanic White Adults
Source: Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System
* Survey respondents were classified as physically inactive if they responded "no" to the following question: "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?"
** Sample size less than 50, the relative standard error (dividing the standard error by the prevalence) greater than or equal to 30%, or no data in at least 1 year.
Non-Hispanic American Indian/Alaska Native adults
Source: Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System
* Survey respondents were classified as physically inactive if they responded "no" to the following question: "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?"
** Sample size less than 50, the relative standard error (dividing the standard error by the prevalence) greater than or equal to 30%, or no data in at least 1 year.
Non-Hispanic Black adults
Source: Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System
* Survey respondents were classified as physically inactive if they responded "no" to the following question: "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?"
** Sample size less than 50, the relative standard error (dividing the standard error by the prevalence) greater than or equal to 30%, or no data in at least 1 year.
Hispanic, Latino/a adults, or Spanish adults
Source: Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System
* Survey respondents were classified as physically inactive if they responded "no" to the following question: "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?"
** Sample size less than 50, the relative standard error (dividing the standard error by the prevalence) greater than or equal to 30%, or no data in at least 1 year.
Resources
Data, Trends, and Maps
Interactive database with national and state data about the health status and behaviors of Americans. Includes physical activity and environmental and policy supports for physical activity.
PLACES: Local Data for Better Health
Model-based population-level analysis and community estimates for all U.S. counties, places (incorporated and census-designated places), census tracts, and ZIP Code Tabulation Areas. Includes data on physical inactivity.
Health Equity Data
Sources of data to identify gaps in health.
Progress and New Directions in Physical Activity Surveillance
Journal of Physical Activity & Health supplement with up to 20 years of physical activity data. Articles include discussion of the history and future directions for national physical activity surveillance.
Physical Activity Across Domains
Provides information on physical activity and inactivity that includes leisure, occupational/household, and transportation activities.