Binge-watching your favorite shows, sleeping in, and taking a day off from your workout routine are great ways to get in some rest and relaxation—two things that most of us could probably use a lot more of. But do those things too often and you'll find yourself becoming a little too sedentary, though you certainly wouldn't be the only one in that boat. According to a recent study published in the journal Nature, researchers at Stanford University analyzed smartphone step counters around the world and found that Americans averaged just over 4,700 steps per day, which was near the bottom of the pack. (Hong Kong, for instance, averaged the most with 6,880 steps daily.) But, where in the U.S. are people the least active? At Best Life, we analyzed a series of data points to determine the laziest state in America.
We first looked at a report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to determine the percentage of adults in each state who experience short sleep duration, which is defined as seven hours or less per any 24-hour period. (We've included the high end of the CDCs estimated percentage range.) It's important to note that while we acknowledge that sleeping too much or too little could be the result of a physical or mental health condition, not necessarily laziness, it does often play a factor in how active your lifestyle is. We also used CDC data to determine the percentage of adults in each state who self-reported being physically inactive, meaning they had not engaged in any form of physical exercise in the past month.
In addition to the CDC data, we calculated the number of gyms, fitness centers, and other workout facilities per 100,000 people in each state, using a report from Exercise.com. Finally, using data from Verizon, which examined Google Trends data and other sources, we included the total time each state’s residents spend watching TV every day, on average.
Each of the four metrics were then given a weighted value and plugged into our exclusive algorithm to see where all 50 states ranked on our 100-point scale Lazy Index, with 100 being the laziest score possible. Read on to find out if your hometown is in the laziest state in America. And for the part of the country that's all about themselves, check out This Is the Most Selfish State in America.
Read the original article on Best Life.
50 | Minnesota
ShutterstockAdults who regularly sleep seven hours or less: 31.9 percent
Adult residents living a sedentary lifestyle: 21.20 percent
Number of gyms per 100,000 residents: 10.34
Time spent watching TV each day per resident: 2:33:50
Lazy Index Score: 0.00
49 | Alaska
ShutterstockAdults who regularly sleep seven hours or less: 44.1 percent
Adult residents living a sedentary lifestyle: 20.30 percent
Number of gyms per 100,000 residents: 6.20
Time spent watching TV each day per resident: 2:20:24
Lazy Index Score: 7.32
48 | Connecticut
iStockAdults who regularly sleep seven hours or less: 37.9 percent
Adult residents living a sedentary lifestyle: 22.70 percent
Number of gyms per 100,000 residents: 7.61
Time spent watching TV each day per resident: 2:41:03
Lazy Index Score: 16.43
47 | Colorado
iStockAdults who regularly sleep seven hours or less: 31.9 percent
Adult residents living a sedentary lifestyle: 17.30 percent
Number of gyms per 100,000 residents: 7.11
Time spent watching TV each day per resident: 2:28:22
Lazy Index Score: 17.32
46 | Hawaii
iStockAdults who regularly sleep seven hours or less: 44.1 percent
Adult residents living a sedentary lifestyle: 21.60 percent
Number of gyms per 100,000 residents: 5.67
Time spent watching TV each day per resident: 2:32:58
Lazy Index Score: 20.96
45 | Wisconsin
ShutterstockAdults who regularly sleep seven hours or less: 34.9 percent
Adult residents living a sedentary lifestyle: 21.40 percent
Number of gyms per 100,000 residents: 7.46
Time spent watching TV each day per resident: 2:39:09
Lazy Index Score: 21.11
44 | New Hampshire
ShutterstockAdults who regularly sleep seven hours or less: 34.9 percent
Adult residents living a sedentary lifestyle: 21.80 percent
Number of gyms per 100,000 residents: 7.27
Time spent watching TV each day per resident: 2:40:22
Lazy Index Score: 24.60
43 | Washington
Adults who regularly sleep seven hours or less: 31.9 percent
Adult residents living a sedentary lifestyle: 18.30 percent
Number of gyms per 100,000 residents: 6.41
Time spent watching TV each day per resident: 2:35:15
Lazy Index Score: 29.61
42 | Utah
ShutterstockAdults who regularly sleep seven hours or less: 31.9 percent
Adult residents living a sedentary lifestyle: 18.60 percent
Number of gyms per 100,000 residents: 5.41
Time spent watching TV each day per resident: 2:13:55
Lazy Index Score: 32.30
41 | Rhode Island
JJM Photography / ShutterstockAdults who regularly sleep seven hours or less: 37.9 percent
Adult residents living a sedentary lifestyle: 25.90 percent
Number of gyms per 100,000 residents: 7.19
Time spent watching TV each day per resident: 2:47:26
Lazy Index Score: 32.47
40 | Virginia
ShutterstockAdults who regularly sleep seven hours or less: 37.9 percent
Adult residents living a sedentary lifestyle: 24.00 percent
Number of gyms per 100,000 residents: 6.79
Time spent watching TV each day per resident: 2:54:03
Lazy Index Score: 33.02
39 | Maine
iStockAdults who regularly sleep seven hours or less: 34.9 percent
Adult residents living a sedentary lifestyle: 23.20 percent
Number of gyms per 100,000 residents: 5.86
Time spent watching TV each day per resident: 2:17:37
Lazy Index Score: 34.03
38 | Vermont
ShutterstockAdults who regularly sleep seven hours or less: 31.9 percent
Adult residents living a sedentary lifestyle: 20.50 percent
Number of gyms per 100,000 residents: 5.28
Time spent watching TV each day per resident: 2:19:43
Lazy Index Score: 41.41
37 | Oregon
iStockAdults who regularly sleep seven hours or less: 31.9 percent
Adult residents living a sedentary lifestyle: 19.20 percent
Number of gyms per 100,000 residents: 5.52
Time spent watching TV each day per resident: 2:46:23
Lazy Index Score: 44.98
36 | California
Shutterstock/Mohamed SelimAdults who regularly sleep seven hours or less: 34.9 percent
Adult residents living a sedentary lifestyle: 20.40 percent
Number of gyms per 100,000 residents: 4.52
Time spent watching TV each day per resident: 2:39:03
Lazy Index Score: 46.36
And for the state that people can't stand, check out This Is the Most Hated State in America.
35 | South Dakota
iStockAdults who regularly sleep seven hours or less: 31.9 percent
Adult residents living a sedentary lifestyle: 22.30 percent
Number of gyms per 100,000 residents: 6.93
Time spent watching TV each day per resident: 3:02:21
Lazy Index Score: 46.62
34 | Maryland
ShutterstockAdults who regularly sleep seven hours or less: 44.1 percent
Adult residents living a sedentary lifestyle: 23.90 percent
Number of gyms per 100,000 residents: 4.49
Time spent watching TV each day per resident: 2:53:23
Lazy Index Score: 46.76
33 | Michigan
ShutterstockAdults who regularly sleep seven hours or less: 44.1 percent
Adult residents living a sedentary lifestyle: 25.10 percent
Number of gyms per 100,000 residents: 5.20
Time spent watching TV each day per resident: 3:02:22
Lazy Index Score: 46.84
32 | Massachusetts
ShutterstockAdults who regularly sleep seven hours or less: 34.9 percent
Adult residents living a sedentary lifestyle: 23.30 percent
Number of gyms per 100,000 residents: 6.05
Time spent watching TV each day per resident: 2:57:52
Lazy Index Score: 47.29
31 | Indiana
ShutterstockAdults who regularly sleep seven hours or less: 44.1 percent
Adult residents living a sedentary lifestyle: 28.30 percent
Number of gyms per 100,000 residents: 6.08
Time spent watching TV each day per resident: 3:04:35
Lazy Index Score: 48.84
30 | Iowa
Clint Farlinger / AlamyAdults who regularly sleep seven hours or less: 31.9 percent
Adult residents living a sedentary lifestyle: 24.20 percent
Number of gyms per 100,000 residents: 7.40
Time spent watching TV each day per resident: 3:07:56
Lazy Index Score: 49.88
29 | Nebraska
ShutterstockAdults who regularly sleep seven hours or less: 31.9 percent
Adult residents living a sedentary lifestyle: 24.20 percent
Number of gyms per 100,000 residents: 7.08
Time spent watching TV each day per resident: 2:59:41
Lazy Index Score: 49.93
28 | Montana
ShutterstockAdults who regularly sleep seven hours or less: 31.9 percent
Adult residents living a sedentary lifestyle: 22.50 percent
Number of gyms per 100,000 residents: 5.66
Time spent watching TV each day per resident: 2:36:39
Lazy Index Score: 50.01
27 | Idaho
iStockAdults who regularly sleep seven hours or less: 31.9 percent
Adult residents living a sedentary lifestyle: 21.50 percent
Number of gyms per 100,000 residents: 6.06
Time spent watching TV each day per resident: 2:56:41
Lazy Index Score: 50.50
And for the place where you won't find many kind faces, This Is the Unfriendliest State in the U.S.
26 | New Mexico
ShutterstockAdults who regularly sleep seven hours or less: 34.9 percent
Adult residents living a sedentary lifestyle: 22.30 percent
Number of gyms per 100,000 residents: 4.81
Time spent watching TV each day per resident: 2:52:06
Lazy Index Score: 54.10
25 | North Dakota
ShutterstockAdults who regularly sleep seven hours or less: 34.9 percent
Adult residents living a sedentary lifestyle: 24.60 percent
Number of gyms per 100,000 residents: 6.86
Time spent watching TV each day per resident: 3:34:29
Lazy Index Score: 56.87
24 | Pennsylvania
ShutterstockAdults who regularly sleep seven hours or less: 37.9 percent
Adult residents living a sedentary lifestyle: 24.80 percent
Number of gyms per 100,000 residents: 5.27
Time spent watching TV each day per resident: 3:13:50
Lazy Index Score: 57.34
23 | South Carolina
ShutterstockAdults who regularly sleep seven hours or less: 44.1 percent
Adult residents living a sedentary lifestyle: 27.20 percent
Number of gyms per 100,000 residents: 5.38
Time spent watching TV each day per resident: 3:22:23
Lazy Index Score: 58.80
22 | Ohio
iStockAdults who regularly sleep seven hours or less: 44.1 percent
Adult residents living a sedentary lifestyle: 27.00 percent
Number of gyms per 100,000 residents: 5.15
Time spent watching TV each day per resident: 3:19:40
Lazy Index Score: 59.41
21 | Arizona
ShutterstockAdults who regularly sleep seven hours or less: 34.9 percent
Adult residents living a sedentary lifestyle: 23.70 percent
Number of gyms per 100,000 residents: 4.76
Time spent watching TV each day per resident: 2:57:36
Lazy Index Score: 60.82
20 | Georgia
iStockAdults who regularly sleep seven hours or less: 44.1 percent
Adult residents living a sedentary lifestyle: 28.50 percent
Number of gyms per 100,000 residents: 5.69
Time spent watching TV each day per resident: 3:26:29
Lazy Index Score: 61.24
19 | Illinois
ShutterstockAdults who regularly sleep seven hours or less: 34.9 percent
Adult residents living a sedentary lifestyle: 24.30 percent
Number of gyms per 100,000 residents: 5.26
Time spent watching TV each day per resident: 3:08:03
Lazy Index Score: 61.66
18 | Wyoming
ShutterstockAdults who regularly sleep seven hours or less: 31.9 percent
Adult residents living a sedentary lifestyle: 24.10 percent
Number of gyms per 100,000 residents: 6.15
Time spent watching TV each day per resident: 3:14:32
Lazy Index Score: 64.04
17 | North Carolina
ShutterstockAdults who regularly sleep seven hours or less: 34.9 percent
Adult residents living a sedentary lifestyle: 24.70 percent
Number of gyms per 100,000 residents: 4.44
Time spent watching TV each day per resident: 2:50:50
Lazy Index Score: 64.43
16 | Kansas
ShutterstockAdults who regularly sleep seven hours or less: 31.9 percent
Adult residents living a sedentary lifestyle: 25.00 percent
Number of gyms per 100,000 residents: 5.64
Time spent watching TV each day per resident: 2:56:30
Lazy Index Score: 65.04
15 | Missouri
iStockAdults who regularly sleep seven hours or less: 34.9 percent
Adult residents living a sedentary lifestyle: 26.80 percent
Number of gyms per 100,000 residents: 5.40
Time spent watching TV each day per resident: 3:02:37
Lazy Index Score: 65.85
14 | Louisiana
iStockAdults who regularly sleep seven hours or less: 37.9 percent
Adult residents living a sedentary lifestyle: 30.90 percent
Number of gyms per 100,000 residents: 7.26
Time spent watching TV each day per resident: 3:41:20
Lazy Index Score: 66.68
13 | New York
ShutterstockAdults who regularly sleep seven hours or less: 44.1 percent
Adult residents living a sedentary lifestyle: 26.60 percent
Number of gyms per 100,000 residents: 3.11
Time spent watching TV each day per resident: 2:52:31
Lazy Index Score: 67.87
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12 | Tennessee
iStockAdults who regularly sleep seven hours or less: 37.9 percent
Adult residents living a sedentary lifestyle: 30.00 percent
Number of gyms per 100,000 residents: 5.14
Time spent watching TV each day per resident: 2:56:36
Lazy Index Score: 67.94
11 | Delaware
iStockAdults who regularly sleep seven hours or less: 37.9 percent
Adult residents living a sedentary lifestyle: 28.40 percent
Number of gyms per 100,000 residents: 6.30
Time spent watching TV each day per resident: 3:47:09
Lazy Index Score: 70.52
10 | Alabama
Rob Hainer / ShutterstockAdults who regularly sleep seven hours or less: 44.1 percent
Adult residents living a sedentary lifestyle: 31.00 percent
Number of gyms per 100,000 residents: 5.51
Time spent watching TV each day per resident: 3:27:25
Lazy Index Score: 70.86
And for the place that enjoys cannabis most, check out This Is the Most Stoned State in America.
9 | Nevada
iStockAdults who regularly sleep seven hours or less: 37.9 percent
Adult residents living a sedentary lifestyle: 25.60 percent
Number of gyms per 100,000 residents: 4.83
Time spent watching TV each day per resident: 3:34:53
Lazy Index Score: 71.72
8 | Texas
ShutterstockAdults who regularly sleep seven hours or less: 34.9 percent
Adult residents living a sedentary lifestyle: 27.90 percent
Number of gyms per 100,000 residents: 5.06
Time spent watching TV each day per resident: 3:04:35
Lazy Index Score: 73.17
7 | Florida
ShutterstockAdults who regularly sleep seven hours or less: 37.9 percent
Adult residents living a sedentary lifestyle: 28.00 percent
Number of gyms per 100,000 residents: 4.90
Time spent watching TV each day per resident: 3:21:39
Lazy Index Score: 73.42
6 | Kentucky
ShutterstockAdults who regularly sleep seven hours or less: 44.1 percent
Adult residents living a sedentary lifestyle: 32.20 percent
Number of gyms per 100,000 residents: 4.94
Time spent watching TV each day per resident: 3:21:29
Lazy Index Score: 77.79
5 | New Jersey
ShutterstockAdults who regularly sleep seven hours or less: 37.9 percent
Adult residents living a sedentary lifestyle: 28.70 percent
Number of gyms per 100,000 residents: 4.53
Time spent watching TV each day per resident: 3:19:55
Lazy Index Score: 78.46
4 | Oklahoma
ShutterstockAdults who regularly sleep seven hours or less: 37.9 percent
Adult residents living a sedentary lifestyle: 30.20 percent
Number of gyms per 100,000 residents: 4.56
Time spent watching TV each day per resident: 3:36:34
Lazy Index Score: 88.81
3 | Arkansas
iStockAdults who regularly sleep seven hours or less: 37.9 percent
Adult residents living a sedentary lifestyle: 32.50 percent
Number of gyms per 100,000 residents: 4.48
Time spent watching TV each day per resident: 3:24:52
Lazy Index Score: 92.22
2 | Mississippi
ShutterstockAdults who regularly sleep seven hours or less: 37.9 percent
Adult residents living a sedentary lifestyle: 33.00 percent
Number of gyms per 100,000 residents: 4.55
Time spent watching TV each day per resident: 3:29:20
Lazy Index Score: 94.70
1 | West Virginia
ShutterstockAdults who regularly sleep seven hours or less: 44.1 percent
Adult residents living a sedentary lifestyle: 29.80 percent
Number of gyms per 100,000 residents: 4.53
Time spent watching TV each day per resident: 4:30:54
Lazy Index Score: 100.0
And for the state where affairs run rampant, check out This Is the Most Adulterous State in America.
