In 2022, just under 1 in 3 adults were not physically active during their leisure time in Louisiana. That’s well above the national average of 24.2%.
Across the U.S., Louisiana ranks toward the bottom in the country when it comes to physical activity.
Physical activity after working hours can decrease the risks of certain cancers, heart disease and Type 2 diabetes. Additionally, exercise can reduce the risk of developing serious illnesses from infectious diseases like COVID or the flu, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Regular physical activity can also increase life expectancy, strengthen bones and decrease the likelihood of falls in older age.
These parishes had the most adults who are physically inactive after working hours in 2022, in descending order:
- East Carroll and Tensas parishes at 42%,
- Claiborne Parish at 40%,
- Madison Parish at 39%,
- Bienville and Morehouse parishes at 38%,
- Evangeline Parish at 37%,
- and Avoyelles and Concordia parishes at 36%.
These parishes had the fewest adults who are physically inactive after working hours in 2022, in ascending order:
- Ascension and St. Charles parishes at 25%,
- Lafayette and St. Tammany parishes at 26%,
- East Baton Rouge, Orleans and West Feliciana parishes at 27%,
- and Beauregard, Bossier, Cameron, Livingston and Tangipahoa parishes at 28%.
The CDC suggests that adults prevent health problems caused by not being physically active by:
- Increase weight-bearing activities like running and walking;
- Increase aerobic activity like running, biking or swimming;
- Do strength training exercises at least twice a week;
- Do aerobic activity all during the week, increasing the heart rate each time.