Hidden price for sitting: $122 billion per year
More than one-quarter of American adults are completely sedentary, and the losses caused are not just physical.
A new study American Journal of Health Promotion It is found that there is currently insufficient aerobic activity, spending $192 billion on health care costs each year. That’s 12.6% of the country’s total health expenditure, which is driven by chronic diseases prevented by inactive adults.
How does a country consume a country
The researchers analyzed data from more than 76,000 adults collected in two major health surveys in the United States between 2012 and 2019. They found:
- 52.4% of adults meet aerobic exercise guidelines
- 20.4% of underactivity
- 27.3% are completely inactive
On average, each adult in the study incurs $6,566 in health care costs per year. But compared to active people:
- Active adults generate $1,355 per year
- $2,025 per year for totally inactive adults
“Aerobic exercise is an investment in health that exacerbates the heart, reduces the burden of chronic diseases, and allows us to have energy and freedom to live.”
Why the costs keep rising
Physical exercise has not been large in the United States over the past decade, but these improvements are not enough to cope with the soaring costs of chronic diseases. The study’s authors believe that population growth, population growth, expanded insurance coverage and rising medical prices may lead to a sharp rise in costs compared to previous 2015 estimates of $117 billion.
“These findings provide further economic reasons for health systems, payers and clinicians to include physical activity assessments, prescriptions and referrals into health care provision,” said Dr. Laurie Whitsel of the American Heart Association and the Sports Activity Alliance.
Small steps, great impact
Dr. Jennifer Matjasko of the CDC’s Nutrition, Physical Exercise and Obesity Department highlights the potential for simple change: “Moving more throughout the day can help improve health and reduce health care costs. Every step is moving towards a healthier future.”
The Sports Activities Alliance is the largest alliance in the country committed to promoting the movement, calling for systematic action:
- Make sports activities the standard of care. Health providers should evaluate and prescribe it like any other vital signs.
- Redesign the workplace. Employers should have the opportunity to combat sedentary culture for daily exercise.
- Change the community. City planning should prioritize safe and accessible spaces for walking, cycling and gaming.
“We will spend almost everything we can prevent in every eight healthcare funding,” said Michael Stack, president of the Sports Activities League. “We need to see sports activities as an essential healthcare solution to inspire people to spend their day at home and in school.”
What’s next?
The study authors acknowledge limitations, including dependence on self-reported physical activities and medical expenses. But the information is still clear: physical inactivity is a modifiable behavior with far-reaching economic and health consequences. As nations struggle with intense medical expenses, should exercise be regarded as a lifestyle choice now, but rather as medicine?
Magazine: American Journal of Health Promotion
doi: 10.1177/08901171251357128
Article title: Inadequate spending on cardio and health care in the United States: updated cost estimates
Publication date: July 11, 2025
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