An Overview of Physical Inactivity in the US

​For many years, the vast majority of Americans have failed to perform the minimum recommendations for physical activity. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Americans of all ages should strive to achieve at least 150 minutes of moderately intense aerobic activity each week, in addition to two days of muscle-strengthening exercises. However, just 28 percent of Americans meet these recommendations, according to the CDC. Aerobic physical activity is more common, but even so, the minimum recommendations are satisfied by only half of the population.

The high level of physical inactivity in the United States have a significant impact on national health. Research indicates that more than half of American adults, or nearly 120 million people, live with at least one preventable chronic disease, meaning the health condition could be avoided through lifestyle changes. Seven of the country's 10 most pressing chronic diseases respond favorably to regular physical activity. These and other conditions account for about 10 percent of premature mortality, to say nothing of the approximately $117 billion in annual health care expenses. An overly sedentary lifestyle can also greatly increase a person's risk of obesity, which can lead to many advanced health conditions.

The United States does not compare favorably to other nations when it comes to physical activity. Globally, only 31 percent of adults fail to meet aerobic and strength exercise guidelines, compared to 72 percent in the US. However, as many as 80 percent of the world's adolescents do not exercise enough, suggesting that physical inactivity trends may worsen in the future without proper intervention.

Lack of knowledge is one of the biggest roadblocks to increased physical activity levels in the US. Per a study published in the Journal of Physical Activity and Health, as few as 10 percent of American adults are aware of exercise guidelines or which types of exercise they should engage in to mitigate their chances of developing diseases and other health problems.
Fortunately, Americans can begin a diverse workout routine with no equipment and little to no experience. For example, the CDC suggests that Americans get their aerobic exercise by walking. Walking for 22 minutes per day, or for 30 minutes per day on weekdays, is enough to satisfy CDC recommendations. People with less time, or who are interested in a more physically intensive workout, can instead aim for 75 minutes of vigorous physical activity. So, rather than walking, they could begin with jogging and eventually establish a running routine.

Americans can perform a diverse range of exercises without a gym membership or access to any equipment, though proper shoes, clothes, and an exercise mat can be helpful. A few examples of popular exercises include lunges, pushups, squats, crunches, and jumping jacks. While individuals often benefit by performing these exercises as a part of a class or under the guidance of a physical trainer, they can easily be completed at home, potentially with the help of an exercise tape or YouTube video.

Several of these exercises also help Americans meet CDC recommendations for strength-building activities. Strength-building exercises should work out every muscle group, including the abdomen, back, chest, shoulders, legs, and arms.

It should be noted that the CDC maintains guidelines for the bare minimum physical activity a person should participate in. Engaging in more than 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity and more than two sessions of muscle-strengthening activity per week will yield additional health benefits.

Gabriel Vadasz

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