Study finds that the majority of Americans are not exercising enough
A new report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has found that only 28 percent of Americans are meeting the recommended physical activity guidelines, writes Forbes. The CDC recommends that adults 18 and over do 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity and two days of muscle-strengthening activity per week.
Moderate exercise means any workout that increases heart rate and muscle strengthening entails working muscles harder than usual. The likelihood of a person meeting the activity goal also varies greatly based on demographics. Those living in the western U.S. are more likely to be hitting both goals, while those living in the South are least likely, ABC News reports.
People living in cities and metropolitan areas also have a higher percentage of adults meeting the requirements at 28 percent, while only 16 percent of adults outside of cities are meeting the goals, reports Forbes. While these numbers are low, the CDC notes that the data for the study was collected in 2020, when the pandemic likely prompted lower-than-average physical activity.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
However, "a national paradigm shift is needed," according to the authors of the study, especially since approximately half of American adults have at least one chronic illness that could be prevented by regular exercise, continues Forbes. For this reason, the CDC launched its Active People, Healthy Nation program to encourage Americans to become more active.
"This body of…evidence is important for understanding rural-urban disparities in physical activity and tracking the attainment of national objectives; however, it is only the first step," wrote the report authors.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Devika Rao has worked as a staff writer at The Week since 2022, covering science, the environment, climate and business. She previously worked as a policy associate for a nonprofit organization advocating for environmental action from a business perspective.
-
Magazine solutions - August 2, 2024
Puzzles and Quizzes Issue - August 2, 2024
By The Week Staff Published
-
Magazine printables - August 2, 2024
Puzzles and Quizzes Issue - August 2, 2024
By The Week Staff Published
-
'In a normal country, their activities wouldn't even be crimes'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Mushroom edibles are tripping up users
the explainer The psychedelics can sometimes have questionable components
By Devika Rao, The Week US Published
-
Brexit, Matt Hancock and black swans: five takeaways from Covid inquiry report
The Explainer UK was 'unprepared' for pandemic and government 'failed' citizens with flawed response, says damning report
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Roll-out of affordable malaria vaccine begins
Speed Read R21 is approved for babies and may save hundreds of thousands of lives
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK Published
-
What is sickle cell anaemia?
The Explainer The UK has approved the use of a new drug to treat a disease that predominantly affects people of colour
By Keumars Afifi-Sabet, The Week UK Published
-
The US is at risk for dengue fever
The explainer The buzz surrounding the mosquito-borne illness
By Devika Rao, The Week US Published
-
Surgeon general calls gun violence a health crisis
Speed Read U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy issued a first-of-its-kind advisory
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Infant deaths jumped in Texas after abortion ban
Speed Read Babies born in states with more abortion restrictions may be likelier to die within a year
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
India's toxic alcohol problem
Under the Radar Bootleggers add lethal methanol to illegal liquor to cheaply increase potency, leading to widespread casualties
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published