Surprising Reason Americans Are Still Struggling to Get Off the Couch

Americans were sitting less—until the pandemic hit. From 2013 to early 2020, the average amount of time spent sedentary was on a steady decline, according to a JAMA research letter. Then came lockdowns, remote work, and closed gyms. Now, five years later, we’re still not moving the way we used to.

The surprising part? It’s not the pandemic itself that’s holding us back. It’s what we kept from that time: virtual meetings, delivery apps, and digital convenience that eliminate nearly all incidental movement.