Sedentary Behavior, Moral Norms, and Health Outcomes

Americans have shifted the cultural view of sloth and laziness from the historical and moral frameworks to the point that 90% of American believe that laziness is a form of “self care” and 25% of Americans are physically inactive, which is well known to cause a litany of personal and public health problems. This study aims to quantify the health impacts associated with the decline of structured moral and social norms that historically discouraged inactivity. Trends in religiosity in the U.S. are analyzed, focusing on the relationship between religious adherence and lifestyle changes with the impact on obesity, diabetes and musculoskeletal disorders. To help overcome some compounding factors, a comparative analysis is also used for the obesity rates in the top 10 countries with predominantly religious populations. The results suggest a compelling association between declining religiosity and increasing rates of obesity, diabetes, and musculoskeletal disorders in the U.S. As religious affiliation, particularly Christianity, declined from 87% in 1990 to 63% in 2022, obesity rates surged from 12% to 42% The findings suggest that as religiosity declines, sedentary lifestyles and their associated health burdens rise, underscoring the need for interventions that foster discipline and accountability — traits traditionally reinforced by religious, cultural and community institutions.