The Laziest States in America

[edjr 5,587]

http://www.mainstreet.com/slideshow/lifestyle/laziest-states-america?cm_ven=yahoomspromo

 

1. Tennessee

 

Physically active adults: 51.8%

 

Taking the top spot as the laziest state in the union is Tennessee, where just more than half -- 51.8% -- of the adult population report at least two and a half hours of physical activity per week. The state also played host to one of the most notorious expanding waistlines in pop culture, as Elvis Presley spent his last years in Memphis in a spiral of drug abuse, overeating, and, yes, general laziness. The only ray of sunshine for energetic Tennesseeans who would rather see their state off this list altogether, the CDC found that 24.3% of the state's high school students report moderate physical activity, a comforting statistic in light of the 17.1% national average.

 

2. Louisiana

 

Physically active adults: 56%

 

In a state known for decadent beignets and the "po boy," a foot-long submarine sandwich slathered in gravy and, sometimes, tartar sauce, only 56% of adults report moderate to vigorous physical activity with any kind of regularity. While there is no data in the CDC report for physical activity among high school students, one detail stands out as a possible indicator of the future fitness of Louisianans: only 35.5% of the state's youth have parks, community centers and sidewalks in the neighborhood, far below the national average of 50%.

 

3. Mississippi

 

Physically active adults: 57.2%

 

Kicking off the top three is Mississippi, home to the purported descendants of some of the aforementioned lazy pioneers. Indeed, the state ranks number one for the proportion of its adults who report "no leisure-time physical activity" at 32.4%. That's almost a third of adults who are not embarrassed to report to the CDC that they get basically no regular physical exercise. It also ranks number one for the prevalence of obesity, as a 2009 CDC report registered 34.4% of Mississippi's population as obese, the highest of any state.

 

4. Kentucky

 

Physically active adults: 57.9%

 

Kentucky, whether it wants to or not, is known throughout the world for its fried chicken recipe popularized by Col. Sanders. While deep-fried anything is delicious, it should really be enjoyed with a side dish of vigorous exercise. Unfortunately for most Kentuckians, there doesn't seem to be as many opportunities to get that exercise as there should be: The CDC reports that only 10.1% of census blocks have a park, half the national average of 20.3%.

 

 

 

5. Alabama

 

Physically active adults: 59%

 

The first state on our list to fall below 60% of adults who exercise is Alabama, a state that was also in the top 10 for obesity in 2009, with fully 31% of the population defined as obese. The numbers aren't surprising when considering a few other characteristics that the CDC highlighted in its report: Alabama does not require or recommend elementary schools to provide scheduled recess, its child care centers don't specify moderate or vigorous physical activity, and the state doesn't support urban design, land use and transportation policies that promote physical activity. These facts don't bode well for the future fitness of the state, and the lack of data on high school students suggests officials take a closer look at the "heart of Dixie."

 

6. North Carolina

 

Physically active adults: 60.9%

 

North Carolina is an interesting state in terms of its characteristics of physical activity. At number six, not even 61% of North Carolinian adults report much exercise, but in other ways the state seems to be addressing the problem. Fewer adults report no physical activity than the national average (24.5% as opposed to 25.4% of American adults in general), and young people are quite active, with 24.5% of high school students reporting moderate physical activity compared to the 17.1% for the nation as a whole.

 

7th Laziest State: Arkansas

 

Physically active adults: 62.1%

 

Barely beating West Virginia in laziness, Bill Clinton’s home state of Arkansas comes in at number seven. The former president, famous for his love of junk food (and later quadruple-bypass heart surgery) was able to reform his bad habits, but the data suggest that the 29.2% of the state’s adults who report no leisure-time physical activity at all could benefit from following Bubba’s lead and living a healthier lifestyle

 

8th Laziest State: West Virginia

 

Physically active adults: 62.2%

 

West Virginia, with its rolling hills and hiking areas along the Appalachian Trail, seems to offer plenty of opportunities for its residents to get out in the wild and get some exercise. It appears that many West Virginians don’t take advantage of that fact, as just 62.2% of adults report being moderately physically active. Thankfully, there is hope in the younger generation: 26.3% of high school students report the same level of physical activity, well above the national average of 17.1%.

 

9th Laziest State: Nevada

 

Physically active adults: 62.5%

 

Nevada’s place on this list may be caused in part by the legions of slot-jockeys spending hours sitting around Las Vegas’s oxygen-enriched casinos, but some of it might simply have to do with the heat. In June and July, highs in Nevada regularly reach above 100 degrees Farenheit. In that kind of heat, the moderate exercise pursued by 62.5% of the population could be hazardous to citizens’ health. Perhaps, as residents of the state with the ninth lowest incidence of physical activity, Nevadans are just more careful about heat stroke than elsewhere. Or, maybe they’re just lazy

 

10th Laziest State: Oklahoma

 

Physically active adults: 62.6%

 

Kicking off the 10 laziest states is Oklahoma, the “sooner” state so-named because the settlement of large tracts of land there was done on a first-come-first-served basis. That original land rush rewarded the sprightly (and those who could defend their territory once they claimed it), but the trait seems not to have persisted. These days, fewer than two-thirds of adult Oklahomans claim to get the two and a half hours of moderate exercise per week that the CDC uses as a benchmark for physical activity

[Sho Nuff 719]

We're number one...we r #1...crap, Im winded.

[MDC 5,911]

All in the South - shocker.

[BunnysBastatrds 1,933]

All in the South - shocker.

 

 

Our women are easier too. Uglier, but easier.

[southcarolina 166]

Was SC on the list? i started reading it, but its so many words...

[MTSkiBum 1,597]

Most active states

1. Vermont

2. Alaska

3. Montana

 

http://www.cdc.gov/physicalactivity/downloads/PA_State_Indicator_Report_2010.pdf

 

I fish and hunt well over 80 days a year on average, which is pretty much par for the course in our great state.

[titans&bucs&bearsohmy! 2,745]

Our women are easier too. Uglier, but easier.

 

Don't be bashing our southern belles! They are hot and easy!

[parrot 789]

Was SC on the list? i started reading it, but its so many words...

 

[KSB2424 3,085]

Can somebody riddle me what is defined as lazy versus active? Surely its not by answering a question like: "Do you run or walk at least 30 minutes a day?" questions.

 

Because a lot of people in the South work manual labor. Waking up at 6:00 am, digging a ditch until 6:00pm is more active than working IT for 8 hours while posting on fftoday then going home and running the treadmill for 30 minutes of cardio and drinking smart water.

 

I would like to know how the questions were presented.

[MDC 5,911]

Can somebody riddle me what is defined as lazy versus active? Surely its not by answering a question like: "Do you run or walk at least 30 minutes a day?" questions.

 

Because a lot of people in the South work manual labor. Waking up at 6:00 am, digging a ditch until 6:00pm is more active than working IT for 8 hours while posting on fftoday then going home and running the treadmill for 30 minutes of cardio and drinking smart water.

 

I would like to know how the questions were presented.

 

This is true, there are a lot more ditch diggers down south.

[BunnysBastatrds 1,933]

Don't be bashing our southern belles! They are hot and easy!

 

 

There are a lot of hot and easy belle's. I was refering to the lazy crapper bustin fatties.

[patweisers44 700]

This is true, there are a lot more ditch diggers down south.

Because they use machinery up north?

[KSB2424 3,085]

This is true, there are a lot more ditch diggers down south.

Well yeah.

 

I don't disagree that there is a more educated polulace in the northeast and out west. However I don't buy the lazy part. At least how I define the term lazy.

 

For instance I don't run on a treadmill, eliptical, or at a park. But I do play in a basketball league, a softball league, enjoy tennis, and golf. I also work in my yard quite a bit. I'm very active and fit, but according to how the question was asked I might be percieved as "lazy" because I don't run or walk 30 minutes a day.

 

I just don't trust surveys like that and stuff sometimes is my only point and question.

[MTSkiBum 1,597]

Well yeah.

 

I don't disagree that there is a more educated polulace in the northeast and out west. However I don't buy the lazy part. At least how I define the term lazy.

 

For instance I don't run on a treadmill, eliptical, or at a park. But I do play in a basketball league, a softball league, enjoy tennis, and golf. I also work in my yard quite a bit. I'm very active and fit, but according to how the question was asked I might be percieved as "lazy" because I don't run or walk 30 minutes a day.

 

I just don't trust surveys like that and stuff sometimes is my only point and question.

 

 

1.The proportion of adults in the state who achieve at least 150 minutes a week of moderate‐intensity aerobic physical activity or 75 minutes a week of vigorous‐intensity aerobic physical activity or an equivalent combination of moderate‐and vigorous‐intensity aerobic activity.

2.The proportion of adults in the state who achieve more than 300 minutes a week of moderate‐intensity aerobic physical activity or 150 minutes a week of vigorous‐intensity aerobic physical activity or an equivalent combination of moderate‐and vigorous‐intensity aerobic physical activity.

3.The proportion of adults in the state who engage in no leisure‐time physical activity.

 

From the report. It sounds like they count construction workers as being active

[KSB2424 3,085]

From the report

I get that:

 

You ask a redneck how much aerobic exercise did you do today and he's gonna say: "I don't do focking aerobics you phag." Meanwhile if he had a step counter on his hip it would show he walked 20,000 steps that day paving a highway.

 

Stupid? Yes

Lazy? No

[titans&bucs&bearsohmy! 2,745]

I get that:

 

You ask a redneck how much aerobic exercise did you do today and he's gonna say: "I don't do focking aerobics you phag." Meanwhile if he had a step counter on his hip it would show he walked 20,000 steps that day paving a highway.

 

Stupid? Yes

Lazy? No

 

You've obviously never known anyone who worked on a work crew. Here in TN (#! BABY) I'm told you show up, stand around with your thumb in your ass waiting for equipment and supplies to arrive (probably drinking beer disguised in something else). Once it gets there, you sit on a steamroller or paver (yes, we actually have machines in the south too!) until your shift ends. This is why it takes TDOT approximately 3-7 years to actually pave a focking highway.

[MDC 5,911]

What amazes me is how these ditch diggers and construction types can supposedly be getting exercise all day but they're still fat.

 

[BLS 313]

I'll take top 10 states with a large minority demographic for $500 Alex.

[titans&bucs&bearsohmy! 2,745]

I'll take top 10 states with a large minority demographic for $500 Alex.

 

I knew it was coming. Hell, we all thought it.

[frank 2,152]

I'm from Al. we're not laz..

[titans&bucs&bearsohmy! 2,745]

I'm from Al. we're not laz..

 

No, just stupid.

[jerryskids 5,216]

Well yeah.

 

I don't disagree that there is a more educated polulace in the northeast and out west. However I don't buy the lazy part. At least how I define the term lazy.

 

For instance I don't run on a treadmill, eliptical, or at a park. But I do play in a basketball league, a softball league, enjoy tennis, and golf. I also work in my yard quite a bit. I'm very active and fit, but according to how the question was asked I might be percieved as "lazy" because I don't run or walk 30 minutes a day.

 

I just don't trust surveys like that and stuff sometimes is my only point and question.

I have the same kind of question. I looked at the criteria and thought; "hmm, do I qualify?" In the past two months I've done yoga 5 times per week (1 or 1.5 hours each), plus 2-3 taekwondo classes per week. I'm in the best shape I've been in a long time. But I wouldn't call either of those activities "aerobic."

 

Also, people lie out of their ass in such poles. Am I to believe that in the laziest state, more than half the adult populace gets that much exercise? Think of all of the people you know -- do you think half of them exercise that much? No focking way.

[Mango_wiggee 0]

Well yeah.

 

I don't disagree that there is a more educated polulace in the northeast and out west. However I don't buy the lazy part. At least how I define the term lazy.

 

For instance I don't run on a treadmill, eliptical, or at a park. But I do play in a basketball league, a softball league, enjoy tennis, and golf. I also work in my yard quite a bit. I'm very active and fit, but according to how the question was asked I might be percieved as "lazy" because I don't run or walk 30 minutes a day.

 

I just don't trust surveys like that and stuff sometimes is my only point and question.

 

They say:

of the adult population report at least two and a half hours of physical activity per week

 

physical activity can be anything...treadmill running, walking, hard labour, heavy house cleaning...

 

it's not that they asked it wrong, it's that you read it and interpreted wrong...apparently your state is not only lazy, but also produces stupid people.

[penultimatestraw 473]

Most active states

1. Vermont

2. Alaska

3. Montana

 

http://www.cdc.gov/physicalactivity/downloads/PA_State_Indicator_Report_2010.pdf

 

I fish and hunt well over 80 days a year on average, which is pretty much par for the course in our great state.

Though those activities technically constitute exercise, they burn only a few more calories than such cardioriffic "sports" as bowling and darts, and probably less than golf. Not to mention their close association with the consumption of empty (liquid) calories.

 

Given your name I hope you do a little backcountry skiing to bolster your activity beyond our portly pals in the south.

[peenie 1,691]

i have no idea what's going on down south but i've never seen so many fat people in all of my life.

[penultimatestraw 473]

I'll take top 10 states with a large minority demographic for $500 Alex.

Which States Have The Most Minorities?

 

The United States Census Bureau released data in May 2007 detailing minority populations by state. Of the approximately 300 million people in the United States, approximately 100 million of them are members of a minority group.

 

Some states have a large minority population, while others have smaller populations. Listed below are top 5 most populated states for people who are members of a minority group.

 

California Ranks #1

 

Texas Ranks #2

 

New York Ranks #3

 

Florida Ranks #4

 

Illinois Ranks #5

 

 

None on the list from the OP. I'm sure Hawaii is on the list too, so you may want to target your racism more specifically.

[jerryskids 5,216]

None on the list from the OP. I'm sure Hawaii is on the list too, so you may want to target your racism more specifically.

 

Is that by percentage or raw numbers? Because your list is basically the top 5 populous states.

[BunnysBastatrds 1,933]

i have no idea what's going on down south but i've never seen so many fat people in all of my life.

 

 

The bestest tasting and worstest for you food on earth down here.

[penultimatestraw 473]

Is that by percentage or raw numbers? Because your list is basically the top 5 populous states.

It is supposed to be %, though I can't access the census data directly. You are probably right that it is really absolute #. Of course BLS didn't specify either.

 

Another link

 

Majority-minority (alternatively, minority-majority) is a term used to describe a U.S. state or other jurisdiction whose racial composition is less than 50% white. 'White' in this context means Non-Hispanic Whites. Racial data are derived from self-identification questions on the census and census bureau estimates. (See Race in the United States Census).

Four states are majority-minority as of 2009: Hawaii (which is the only state that has never had a white majority), New Mexico, California, and Texas.[1]

The percentage of non-Hispanic white residents has fallen below 60% in Maryland, Georgia, Nevada, Arizona, New York, Mississippi, and Florida.[2]

 

I guess my point was that there are a hell of lot fat, lazy white people, too. Growing up in the South, I have never seen so many CBF as when I lived in Michigan, for example.

[MTSkiBum 1,597]

Though those activities technically constitute exercise, they burn only a few more calories than such cardioriffic "sports" as bowling and darts, and probably less than golf. Not to mention their close association with the consumption of empty (liquid) calories.

 

Given your name I hope you do a little backcountry skiing to bolster your activity beyond our portly pals in the south.

 

I walk an average of 10 miles a day when i am bird hunting, 5 miles a day when i am big game hunting, and anywhere from 5-10 miles a day when i am fishing. Not to mention this is at elevations that range from 1-1.5 miles above sea level.

 

Just because you think of fishing as sitting on a pond drinking a beer does not mean that is how people out here fish.

 

 

Also, I am an avid golfer as well. Carrying your clubs while walking 9 holes is definitely exercise.

[penultimatestraw 473]

I walk an average of 10 miles a day when i am bird hunting, 5 miles a day when i am big game hunting, and anywhere from 5-10 miles a day when i am fishing. Not to mention this is at elevations that range from 1-1.5 miles above sea level.

 

Just because you think of fishing as sitting on a pond drinking a beer does not mean that is how people out here fish.

 

 

Also, I am an avid golfer as well. Carrying your clubs while walking 9 holes is definitely exercise.

I think of fishing as writing a somewhat inflammatory post to try to elicit a response

 

Good to see you are not really a bum at all.

[BLS 313]

None on the list from the OP. I'm sure Hawaii is on the list too, so you may want to target your racism more specifically.

 

 

Did I say "largest" numbnuts? Take your self-righteousness to Footbally Gheys. We don't take kindly to your type round here.

[Me_2006 14]

I'll take top 10 states with a large minority demographic for $500 Alex.

Ever been to Kentucky? I graduated with TWO black kids in my grade. There were seven in my entire high school and five had the same last name, the other two had the same last name.

 

 

And you'll see a few messicans occasionally at Wal Mart, but I don't personally know any or how many there might be.

 

 

The reason people here are fat is because it gets hot as a motherfucker in the summer, therefore no one goes out, and we do fried chicken better than any other people on the planet. Add to that the fact that we either fry, cook with lard, or put gravy on, most things we eat and it doesn't shock me that people here are huge.

 

 

But yeah, I'm with others that are skeptical about people's honesty. I wouldn't imagine the most active state has better than 50% of adults that reach that level of physical/aerobic exercise.

[penultimatestraw 473]

Did I say "largest" numbnuts? Take your self-righteousness to Footbally Gheys. We don't take kindly to your type round here.

 

Oh I'm sorry, when you said "I'll take top 10 states with a large minority demographic for $500 Alex" you meant tops in what respect? And although it may be difficult for you not to feel threatened, rest assured I am white, not part of the government or behind you

[Yer mom 2]

and we do fried chicken better than any other people on the planet. Add to that the fact that we either fry, cook with lard, or put gravy on

 

Im down to get fat for that Add some fuckin tater salad, garlic mashed taters...

 

Havent been to KFC in years, but fuckit I may be heading there in a bit. The tastebuds have officially taking control of me

[IGotWorms 3,335]

I'll take top 10 states with a large minority demographic for $500 Alex.

 

How come Michigan isn't on there? New York? Texas? California? New Mexico? Those states all have HUGE minority populations but they aren't on the list. Oh but go ahead and keep thinking that all minorities are lazy, you ignorant racist fuck.

[penultimatestraw 473]

How come Michigan isn't on there? New York? Texas? California? New Mexico? Those states all have HUGE minority populations but they aren't on the list. Oh but go ahead and keep thinking that all minorities are lazy, you ignorant racist fuck.

Self-righteous fascist!

[IGotWorms 3,335]

Self-righteous fascist!

 

You are a fascist, but I happen to agree with your sentiments in this thread.

[penultimatestraw 473]

You are a fascist, but I happen to agree with your sentiments in this thread.

Can you say "fascism" with a lisp?

[IGotWorms 3,335]

Can you say "fascism" with a lisp?

 

fathism?