Exercise is one of the most effective ways for people to improve their overall health. Regular exercise has been shown to reduce the risk of depression, weight gain, and certain chronic diseases, while improving cognitive function, sleep quality, and physical balance — among many other benefits.
Though the importance of physical activity is well established, over 55 million American adults lead completely sedentary lifestyles. Physical inactivity accounts for about one in every 10 premature deaths in the U.S. and also has broader social costs — presenting an estimated $117 billion burden on the health care system annually, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Insufficient exercise is a major public health challenge across the United States, but in some parts of the country, the problem is far worse than in others.
Using data from County Health Rankings & Roadmaps, a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute joint program, 24/7 Tempo identified the 50 least physically active counties in the United States.
The share of adults who do not exercise among the counties and county equivalents on this list ranges from nearly 40% to over 50%. Meanwhile, 22.7% of the 20 and older population nationwide lead completely sedentary lifestyles.
Given the benefits associated with regular exercise, it is perhaps not surprising that overall health outcomes tend to be worse in places where larger shares of the population are not physically active. For example, in all but one county on this list, both the obesity rate and the share of adults who report being in fair or poor health are higher than the respective national averages of 29.7% and 16.5%. Here is a look at the most obese states in America.
For many residents of the counties on this list, a lack of regular physical exercise is partially attributable to limited opportunities. In each of the 50 least active U.S. counties, the share of the population living in close proximity to places to exercise, like parks or recreational facilities, is below the 84.2% national average. In the majority of these counties, less than half the population have access to such places.
Click here to see America’s laziest counties
Click here to see our detailed methodology
50. Lee County, Kentucky
> Adults who don’t exercise: 39.7%
> Pop. with access to places for physical activity: 78.5% — 860th highest of 3,100 counties
> Adult obesity rate: 41.9% — 222nd highest of 3,106 counties
> Adults with diabetes: 15.1% — 644th highest of 3,106 counties
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 33.4% — 41st highest of 3,106 counties
> Physically unhealthy days per month: 6.7 — 15th highest of 3,106 counties
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49. Buchanan County, Virginia
> Adults who don’t exercise: 39.7%
> Pop. with access to places for physical activity: 28.8% — 263rd lowest of 3,100 counties
> Adult obesity rate: 36.3% — 1,006th highest of 3,106 counties
> Adults with diabetes: 11.4% — 1,394th lowest of 3,106 counties (tied)
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 28.0% — 214th highest of 3,106 counties
> Physically unhealthy days per month: 5.8 — 133rd highest of 3,106 counties
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48. Allen County, Kentucky
> Adults who don’t exercise: 39.7%
> Pop. with access to places for physical activity: 37.0% — 412th lowest of 3,100 counties
> Adult obesity rate: 36.5% — 983rd highest of 3,106 counties
> Adults with diabetes: 12.9% — 1,229th highest of 3,106 counties
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 26.1% — 410th highest of 3,106 counties
> Physically unhealthy days per month: 5.5 — 247th highest of 3,106 counties
47. Bath County, Kentucky
> Adults who don’t exercise: 39.7%
> Pop. with access to places for physical activity: 39.6% — 480th lowest of 3,100 counties
> Adult obesity rate: 46.2% — 54th highest of 3,106 counties
> Adults with diabetes: 14.4% — 810th highest of 3,106 counties
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 27.6% — 246th highest of 3,106 counties
> Physically unhealthy days per month: 5.8 — 123rd highest of 3,106 counties
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46. Calhoun County, Arkansas
> Adults who don’t exercise: 39.7%
> Pop. with access to places for physical activity: 10.6% — 98th lowest of 3,100 counties
> Adult obesity rate: 25.8% — 325th lowest of 3,106 counties
> Adults with diabetes: 9.8% — 823rd lowest of 3,106 counties
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 26.7% — 343rd highest of 3,106 counties
> Physically unhealthy days per month: 5.4 — 329th highest of 3,106 counties
45. Panola County, Mississippi
> Adults who don’t exercise: 39.9%
> Pop. with access to places for physical activity: 18.1% — 144th lowest of 3,100 counties
> Adult obesity rate: 43.7% — 113th highest of 3,106 counties
> Adults with diabetes: 16.8% — 373rd highest of 3,106 counties
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 27.5% — 257th highest of 3,106 counties
> Physically unhealthy days per month: 5.1 — 557th highest of 3,106 counties
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44. Turner County, Georgia
> Adults who don’t exercise: 40.0%
> Pop. with access to places for physical activity: 20.0% — 163rd lowest of 3,100 counties
> Adult obesity rate: 39.3% — 468th highest of 3,106 counties
> Adults with diabetes: 19.5% — 123rd highest of 3,106 counties
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 25.9% — 440th highest of 3,106 counties
> Physically unhealthy days per month: 5.1 — 593rd highest of 3,106 counties
43. Meigs County, Ohio
> Adults who don’t exercise: 40.0%
> Pop. with access to places for physical activity: 43.5% — 584th lowest of 3,100 counties
> Adult obesity rate: 41.2% — 266th highest of 3,106 counties
> Adults with diabetes: 18.7% — 178th highest of 3,106 counties
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 23.3% — 824th highest of 3,106 counties
> Physically unhealthy days per month: 5.1 — 518th highest of 3,106 counties
42. Grant Parish, Louisiana
> Adults who don’t exercise: 40.1%
> Pop. with access to places for physical activity: 69.5% — 1,371st highest of 3,100 counties
> Adult obesity rate: 44.9% — 83rd highest of 3,106 counties
> Adults with diabetes: 16.1% — 465th highest of 3,106 counties
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 23.9% — 724th highest of 3,106 counties
> Physically unhealthy days per month: 4.8 — 888th highest of 3,106 counties
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41. Calhoun County, Georgia
> Adults who don’t exercise: 40.2%
> Pop. with access to places for physical activity: 0.3% — 16th lowest of 3,100 counties
> Adult obesity rate: 35.0% — 1,271st highest of 3,106 counties
> Adults with diabetes: 10.9% — 1,191st lowest of 3,106 counties
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 31.0% — 81st highest of 3,106 counties
> Physically unhealthy days per month: 5.5 — 296th highest of 3,106 counties
40. Giles County, Tennessee
> Adults who don’t exercise: 40.2%
> Pop. with access to places for physical activity: 43.7% — 590th lowest of 3,100 counties
> Adult obesity rate: 32.9% — 1,361st lowest of 3,106 counties
> Adults with diabetes: 9.9% — 845th lowest of 3,106 counties (tied)
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 23.2% — 836th highest of 3,106 counties
> Physically unhealthy days per month: 5.1 — 589th highest of 3,106 counties
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39. Butler County, Alabama
> Adults who don’t exercise: 40.3%
> Pop. with access to places for physical activity: 48.6% — 766th lowest of 3,100 counties
> Adult obesity rate: 46.8% — 42nd highest of 3,106 counties
> Adults with diabetes: 19.5% — 127th highest of 3,106 counties
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 27.9% — 220th highest of 3,106 counties
> Physically unhealthy days per month: 5.4 — 332nd highest of 3,106 counties
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38. Wyoming County, West Virginia
> Adults who don’t exercise: 40.4%
> Pop. with access to places for physical activity: 61.7% — 1,321st lowest of 3,100 counties
> Adult obesity rate: 36.4% — 987th highest of 3,106 counties
> Adults with diabetes: 15.9% — 497th highest of 3,106 counties
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 27.6% — 244th highest of 3,106 counties
> Physically unhealthy days per month: 6.1 — 64th highest of 3,106 counties
37. Tishomingo County, Mississippi
> Adults who don’t exercise: 40.5%
> Pop. with access to places for physical activity: 51.2% — 855th lowest of 3,100 counties
> Adult obesity rate: 38.8% — 540th highest of 3,106 counties (tied)
> Adults with diabetes: 20.8% — 81st highest of 3,106 counties
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 24.8% — 574th highest of 3,106 counties
> Physically unhealthy days per month: 5.2 — 452nd highest of 3,106 counties
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36. Clarke County, Alabama
> Adults who don’t exercise: 40.5%
> Pop. with access to places for physical activity: 25.3% — 227th lowest of 3,100 counties
> Adult obesity rate: 36.1% — 1,055th highest of 3,106 counties
> Adults with diabetes: 24.8% — 11th highest of 3,106 counties
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 26.8% — 333rd highest of 3,106 counties
> Physically unhealthy days per month: 5.3 — 377th highest of 3,106 counties
35. Ohio County, Kentucky
> Adults who don’t exercise: 40.6%
> Pop. with access to places for physical activity: 39.5% — 477th lowest of 3,100 counties
> Adult obesity rate: 31.3% — 1,065th lowest of 3,106 counties (tied)
> Adults with diabetes: 14.1% — 879th highest of 3,106 counties
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 25.9% — 442nd highest of 3,106 counties
> Physically unhealthy days per month: 5.6 — 190th highest of 3,106 counties
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34. Wilcox County, Georgia
> Adults who don’t exercise: 40.6%
> Pop. with access to places for physical activity: 20.6% — 173rd lowest of 3,100 counties
> Adult obesity rate: 34.6% — 1,381st highest of 3,106 counties
> Adults with diabetes: 22.1% — 45th highest of 3,106 counties
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 24.9% — 568th highest of 3,106 counties
> Physically unhealthy days per month: 4.8 — 844th highest of 3,106 counties
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33. Holmes County, Mississippi
> Adults who don’t exercise: 40.7%
> Pop. with access to places for physical activity: 27.1% — 244th lowest of 3,100 counties
> Adult obesity rate: 50.7% — 10th highest of 3,106 counties
> Adults with diabetes: 20.5% — 85th highest of 3,106 counties (tied)
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 37.0% — 10th highest of 3,106 counties
> Physically unhealthy days per month: 6.1 — 58th highest of 3,106 counties
32. Lamar County, Texas
> Adults who don’t exercise: 40.7%
> Pop. with access to places for physical activity: 63.6% — 1,410th lowest of 3,100 counties
> Adult obesity rate: 34.2% — 1,456th highest of 3,106 counties
> Adults with diabetes: 15.7% — 523rd highest of 3,106 counties
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 21.9% — 1,065th highest of 3,106 counties
> Physically unhealthy days per month: 4.7 — 1,054th highest of 3,106 counties
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31. Knott County, Kentucky
> Adults who don’t exercise: 40.8%
> Pop. with access to places for physical activity: 30.5% — 293rd lowest of 3,100 counties
> Adult obesity rate: 43.2% — 142nd highest of 3,106 counties
> Adults with diabetes: 21.0% — 74th highest of 3,106 counties
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 32.2% — 55th highest of 3,106 counties
> Physically unhealthy days per month: 6.8 — 11th highest of 3,106 counties
30. Geneva County, Alabama
> Adults who don’t exercise: 40.8%
> Pop. with access to places for physical activity: 20.2% — 166th lowest of 3,100 counties
> Adult obesity rate: 41.3% — 253rd highest of 3,106 counties
> Adults with diabetes: 19.3% — 141st highest of 3,106 counties
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 26.3% — 393rd highest of 3,106 counties
> Physically unhealthy days per month: 5.6 — 213th highest of 3,106 counties
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29. Crawford County, Georgia
> Adults who don’t exercise: 41.0%
> Pop. with access to places for physical activity: 5.3% — 60th lowest of 3,100 counties
> Adult obesity rate: 44.4% — 99th highest of 3,106 counties (tied)
> Adults with diabetes: 17.4% — 305th highest of 3,106 counties
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 22.4% — 990th highest of 3,106 counties
> Physically unhealthy days per month: 4.7 — 1,043rd highest of 3,106 counties
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28. Marion County, Kentucky
> Adults who don’t exercise: 41.1%
> Pop. with access to places for physical activity: 48.2% — 744th lowest of 3,100 counties
> Adult obesity rate: 37.0% — 864th highest of 3,106 counties
> Adults with diabetes: 11.9% — 1,547th lowest of 3,106 counties
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 27.6% — 245th highest of 3,106 counties
> Physically unhealthy days per month: 5.8 — 136th highest of 3,106 counties
27. Ben Hill County, Georgia
> Adults who don’t exercise: 41.1%
> Pop. with access to places for physical activity: 39.3% — 468th lowest of 3,100 counties
> Adult obesity rate: 42.1% — 204th highest of 3,106 counties
> Adults with diabetes: 21.3% — 64th highest of 3,106 counties
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 26.3% — 397th highest of 3,106 counties
> Physically unhealthy days per month: 5.3 — 431st highest of 3,106 counties
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26. Copiah County, Mississippi
> Adults who don’t exercise: 41.3%
> Pop. with access to places for physical activity: 42.7% — 566th lowest of 3,100 counties
> Adult obesity rate: 43.6% — 117th highest of 3,106 counties
> Adults with diabetes: 19.5% — 126th highest of 3,106 counties
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 27.1% — 302nd highest of 3,106 counties
> Physically unhealthy days per month: 5 — 661st highest of 3,106 counties
25. Amite County, Mississippi
> Adults who don’t exercise: 41.3%
> Pop. with access to places for physical activity: 26.9% — 243rd lowest of 3,100 counties
> Adult obesity rate: 40.3% — 349th highest of 3,106 counties
> Adults with diabetes: 17.8% — 262nd highest of 3,106 counties
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 27.4% — 265th highest of 3,106 counties
> Physically unhealthy days per month: 5 — 617th highest of 3,106 counties
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24. Calhoun County, Florida
> Adults who don’t exercise: 41.4%
> Pop. with access to places for physical activity: 20.0% — 164th lowest of 3,100 counties
> Adult obesity rate: 36.9% — 871st highest of 3,106 counties
> Adults with diabetes: 16.7% — 377th highest of 3,106 counties
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 25.7% — 456th highest of 3,106 counties
> Physically unhealthy days per month: 5.1 — 554th highest of 3,106 counties
23. Appling County, Georgia
> Adults who don’t exercise: 41.4%
> Pop. with access to places for physical activity: 20.0% — 160th lowest of 3,100 counties
> Adult obesity rate: 34.3% — 1,437th highest of 3,106 counties
> Adults with diabetes: 16.5% — 412th highest of 3,106 counties
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 26.1% — 407th highest of 3,106 counties
> Physically unhealthy days per month: 5.3 — 395th highest of 3,106 counties
22. Choctaw County, Oklahoma
> Adults who don’t exercise: 41.6%
> Pop. with access to places for physical activity: 35.4% — 373rd lowest of 3,100 counties
> Adult obesity rate: 33.6% — 1,500th lowest of 3,106 counties
> Adults with diabetes: 20.0% — 107th highest of 3,106 counties
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 29.1% — 151st highest of 3,106 counties
> Physically unhealthy days per month: 6 — 73rd highest of 3,106 counties
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21. Mississippi County, Missouri
> Adults who don’t exercise: 41.7%
> Pop. with access to places for physical activity: 52.0% — 894th lowest of 3,100 counties
> Adult obesity rate: 39.1% — 503rd highest of 3,106 counties
> Adults with diabetes: 17.1% — 329th highest of 3,106 counties
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 30.5% — 92nd highest of 3,106 counties
> Physically unhealthy days per month: 5.6 — 197th highest of 3,106 counties
20. Hertford County, North Carolina
> Adults who don’t exercise: 41.7%
> Pop. with access to places for physical activity: 59.3% — 1,215th lowest of 3,100 counties
> Adult obesity rate: 48.5% — 25th highest of 3,106 counties
> Adults with diabetes: 25.2% — 10th highest of 3,106 counties
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 26.9% — 322nd highest of 3,106 counties
> Physically unhealthy days per month: 4.7 — 1,098th highest of 3,106 counties
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19. Lawrence County, Tennessee
> Adults who don’t exercise: 41.7%
> Pop. with access to places for physical activity: 56.4% — 1,084th lowest of 3,100 counties
> Adult obesity rate: 37.2% — 812th highest of 3,106 counties
> Adults with diabetes: 13.4% — 1,043rd highest of 3,106 counties
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 25.1% — 544th highest of 3,106 counties
> Physically unhealthy days per month: 5.5 — 291st highest of 3,106 counties
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18. Howard County, Arkansas
> Adults who don’t exercise: 42.1%
> Pop. with access to places for physical activity: 10.1% — 95th lowest of 3,100 counties
> Adult obesity rate: 42.5% — 170th highest of 3,106 counties
> Adults with diabetes: 9.6% — 753rd lowest of 3,106 counties (tied)
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 27.7% — 236th highest of 3,106 counties
> Physically unhealthy days per month: 5.5 — 272nd highest of 3,106 counties
17. Bullock County, Alabama
> Adults who don’t exercise: 42.4%
> Pop. with access to places for physical activity: 2.5% — 39th lowest of 3,100 counties
> Adult obesity rate: 46.6% — 46th highest of 3,106 counties
> Adults with diabetes: 29.5% — the highest of 3,106 counties
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 31.4% — 65th highest of 3,106 counties
> Physically unhealthy days per month: 5.5 — 253rd highest of 3,106 counties
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16. New Madrid County, Missouri
> Adults who don’t exercise: 42.4%
> Pop. with access to places for physical activity: 42.5% — 557th lowest of 3,100 counties
> Adult obesity rate: 33.5% — 1,493rd lowest of 3,106 counties
> Adults with diabetes: 17.8% — 250th highest of 3,106 counties
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 28.6% — 172nd highest of 3,106 counties
> Physically unhealthy days per month: 5.7 — 186th highest of 3,106 counties
15. Okfuskee County, Oklahoma
> Adults who don’t exercise: 42.4%
> Pop. with access to places for physical activity: 23.9% — 209th lowest of 3,100 counties
> Adult obesity rate: 58.9% — the highest of 3,106 counties
> Adults with diabetes: 15.3% — 622nd highest of 3,106 counties
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 28.4% — 182nd highest of 3,106 counties
> Physically unhealthy days per month: 5.9 — 101st highest of 3,106 counties
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14. Conecuh County, Alabama
> Adults who don’t exercise: 42.6%
> Pop. with access to places for physical activity: 37.0% — 411th lowest of 3,100 counties
> Adult obesity rate: 42.1% — 203rd highest of 3,106 counties
> Adults with diabetes: 24.0% — 19th highest of 3,106 counties
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 29.3% — 140th highest of 3,106 counties
> Physically unhealthy days per month: 5.4 — 301st highest of 3,106 counties
13. Macon County, Georgia
> Adults who don’t exercise: 42.6%
> Pop. with access to places for physical activity: 45.5% — 654th lowest of 3,100 counties
> Adult obesity rate: 30.3% — 874th lowest of 3,106 counties
> Adults with diabetes: 15.9% — 485th highest of 3,106 counties
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 29.6% — 123rd highest of 3,106 counties
> Physically unhealthy days per month: 5.4 — 348th highest of 3,106 counties
12. Clay County, Georgia
> Adults who don’t exercise: 42.8%
> Pop. with access to places for physical activity: 29.3% — 276th lowest of 3,100 counties
> Adult obesity rate: 40.7% — 311th highest of 3,106 counties
> Adults with diabetes: 12.5% — 1,339th highest of 3,106 counties (tied)
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 31.8% — 60th highest of 3,106 counties
> Physically unhealthy days per month: 5.8 — 125th highest of 3,106 counties
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11. Dunklin County, Missouri
> Adults who don’t exercise: 42.9%
> Pop. with access to places for physical activity: 68.2% — 1,438th highest of 3,100 counties
> Adult obesity rate: 41.7% — 227th highest of 3,106 counties
> Adults with diabetes: 17.9% — 246th highest of 3,106 counties
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 29.2% — 142nd highest of 3,106 counties
> Physically unhealthy days per month: 6 — 84th highest of 3,106 counties
10. Tillman County, Oklahoma
> Adults who don’t exercise: 43.3%
> Pop. with access to places for physical activity: 56.3% — 1,080th lowest of 3,100 counties
> Adult obesity rate: 46.4% — 51st highest of 3,106 counties
> Adults with diabetes: 20.8% — 80th highest of 3,106 counties
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 26.4% — 383rd highest of 3,106 counties
> Physically unhealthy days per month: 5.2 — 439th highest of 3,106 counties
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9. Dixie County, Florida
> Adults who don’t exercise: 43.4%
> Pop. with access to places for physical activity: 34.8% — 366th lowest of 3,100 counties
> Adult obesity rate: 33.1% — 1,399th lowest of 3,106 counties
> Adults with diabetes: 14.6% — 761st highest of 3,106 counties
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 27.4% — 271st highest of 3,106 counties
> Physically unhealthy days per month: 5.7 — 143rd highest of 3,106 counties
8. Franklin city, Virginia
> Adults who don’t exercise: 44.0%
> Pop. with access to places for physical activity: 45.3% — 644th lowest of 3,100 counties
> Adult obesity rate: 37.8% — 720th highest of 3,106 counties
> Adults with diabetes: 16.2% — 460th highest of 3,106 counties
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 24.6% — 617th highest of 3,106 counties
> Physically unhealthy days per month: 4.7 — 1,091st highest of 3,106 counties
7. Ashley County, Arkansas
> Adults who don’t exercise: 44.5%
> Pop. with access to places for physical activity: 50.1% — 823rd lowest of 3,100 counties
> Adult obesity rate: 42.0% — 212th highest of 3,106 counties
> Adults with diabetes: 13.5% — 1,026th highest of 3,106 counties
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 27.7% — 241st highest of 3,106 counties
> Physically unhealthy days per month: 5.6 — 220th highest of 3,106 counties
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6. Tippah County, Mississippi
> Adults who don’t exercise: 45.4%
> Pop. with access to places for physical activity: 58.3% — 1,162nd lowest of 3,100 counties
> Adult obesity rate: 41.1% — 271st highest of 3,106 counties
> Adults with diabetes: 23.2% — 27th highest of 3,106 counties
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 26.0% — 421st highest of 3,106 counties
> Physically unhealthy days per month: 5.3 — 417th highest of 3,106 counties
5. Sharkey County, Mississippi
> Adults who don’t exercise: 45.7%
> Pop. with access to places for physical activity: 2.0% — 34th lowest of 3,100 counties
> Adult obesity rate: 42.0% — 214th highest of 3,106 counties
> Adults with diabetes: 14.4% — 809th highest of 3,106 counties
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 35.0% — 25th highest of 3,106 counties
> Physically unhealthy days per month: 5.9 — 95th highest of 3,106 counties
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4. Mingo County, West Virginia
> Adults who don’t exercise: 45.7%
> Pop. with access to places for physical activity: 52.6% — 913th lowest of 3,100 counties
> Adult obesity rate: 41.9% — 221st highest of 3,106 counties
> Adults with diabetes: 22.1% — 48th highest of 3,106 counties
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 32.9% — 48th highest of 3,106 counties
> Physically unhealthy days per month: 6.9 — 5th highest of 3,106 counties
3. Nevada County, Arkansas
> Adults who don’t exercise: 46.0%
> Pop. with access to places for physical activity: 40.4% — 500th lowest of 3,100 counties
> Adult obesity rate: 43.4% — 127th highest of 3,106 counties
> Adults with diabetes: 15.3% — 601st highest of 3,106 counties
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 27.7% — 232nd highest of 3,106 counties
> Physically unhealthy days per month: 5.5 — 255th highest of 3,106 counties
2. Dallas County, Arkansas
> Adults who don’t exercise: 47.4%
> Pop. with access to places for physical activity: 18.5% — 149th lowest of 3,100 counties
> Adult obesity rate: 39.8% — 400th highest of 3,106 counties
> Adults with diabetes: 17.1% — 323rd highest of 3,106 counties
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 27.5% — 260th highest of 3,106 counties
> Physically unhealthy days per month: 5.4 — 311th highest of 3,106 counties
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1. Prairie County, Arkansas
> Adults who don’t exercise: 50.4%
> Pop. with access to places for physical activity: 40.7% — 507th lowest of 3,100 counties
> Adult obesity rate: 36.0% — 1,059th highest of 3,106 counties
> Adults with diabetes: 13.2% — 1,128th highest of 3,106 counties
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 25.0% — 559th highest of 3,106 counties
> Physically unhealthy days per month: 5.3 — 388th highest of 3,106 counties
Methodology
To determine America’s laziest counties, 24/7 Tempo reviewed adult physical inactivity rates from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute joint program’s 2021 County Health Rankings & Roadmaps report.
The physical inactivity rate is defined as the share of adults 20 years and older who report no leisure-time physical activity. While the CHR report is from 2021, physical inactivity figures published in the report are from 2017.
Of the 3,220 counties or county equivalents, 3,142 had boundaries that fell within one of the 50 states or the District of Columbia.
Counties with a 2019 five-year population estimate from the U.S. Census Bureau of less than 1,000 were excluded.
The remaining 3,106 places were ranked based on the adult physical inactivity rate. Additional information on the share of the population with adequate access to locations for physical activity, the share of adults 20 years and older who report a body mass index of 30 kg/m2 or higher, the share of adults 20 years and older with diagnosed diabetes, the share of adults reporting poor or fair health, and the average number of physically unhealthy days reported in the past 30 days also came from the 2021 CHR.
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