U.S. Physical Inactivity Estimates

In an effort to increase interest in health and exercise, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has issued a new report providing county-level data on physical inactivity and obesity and type 2 diabetes risk. The CDC site includes two county-level maps that show the data. The maps are unfortunately quite difficult to understand based on the labels (i.e. "Counties in top quartile for diabetes, obesity, and leisure-time physical inactivity.") Ultimately, though, Gulf States of Mississippi, Alabama, and Louisiana as well as Kentucky, Oklahoma and Tennessee are the least active and thus least healthy states. The most active and healthy counties are in California, Colorado, Hawaii, Minnesota, Oregon, Vermont, and Washington.