Health experts have praised the benefits of exercise for generations. Numerous studies show physical activity can improve sleep and brain function, reduce the risk of diseases, and help soothe mental illnesses. With the advent of smartphones and portable electronics, it's easy to snuggle up somewhere and not do anything for hours. Certain jobs, pre-existing health conditions, and life circumstances don't allow for regular exercise.
That's why curious writers at 24/7 Wall St. compiled a list of every state's "most sedentary" city. Analysts scoured through data from countrywide health rankings and research to determine their picks.
The study found Pueblo has Colorado's least physically active residents. According to the website, 24.4% of adults don't exercise in the city compared to 16.5% of adults in the state. More than 15% of adults report being in poor or fair health. The adult obesity rate is 29.6%.
Analysts explained how they put together the list:
"To identify the least physically active city or metropolitan area in each state, 24/7 Tempo reviewed data from the 2023 County Health Rankings & Roadmaps, a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute joint program. Cities and metros are ranked by the share of adults 20 or older who never exercise in their leisure time. Additional information on the share of adults who report a body mass index of 30 kg/m2 or higher — the standard for adult obesity according to the CDC and the National Institutes of Health — and the share of adults reporting poor or fair health, also came from the 2023 CHR."