Americans are less sedentary than in 2018, but there is plenty of room for improvement
June 12, 2025
Summary: Fewer American adults spent more than six sedentary hours each day than a decade earlier, although sedentary behavior in those under age 65 did not continue to decrease after 2017-18.
Sedentary Behavior by Age
Source; Li, et al, JAMA May 21, 2025
We know that exercising regularly improves health, and being sedentary leads to bad health and metabolic disease. Research published in JAMA showed that over one-third of American adults were sedentary for over six hours a day, but the good news is that this is down from over half in 2013-14. This research used survey results from the National Health and Nutrition Survey (NHANES). The average amount of sedentary time per day dropped from 7.1 hours in 2013-4 to 5.9 hours in 2021-23 .
Implications for employers :
Employers can encourage physical activity through promoting step challenges and opportunities to walk or exercise around the workplace.
Knowledge workers can use standing desks and conduct walking meetings.