2% With Michael Easter
The Comfort Crisis: Physical Activity
Feb 12, 2025
Explore the alarming decline in human physical activity from pre-Industrial times to today. Discover eye-opening statistics on how much less we move now and the serious health consequences of this trend, including obesity. Delve into a fascinating study comparing modern workers to 18th-century settlers and learn from the Hadza tribe's active lifestyle. Michael shares practical tips to help combat this drop in activity and inspire a more active life!
07:14
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Quick takeaways
- Humans today are significantly less active than in the past, with modern lifestyles leading to alarming health consequences like obesity.
- To combat inactivity, intentional integration of more movement into daily routines and adopting physically demanding hobbies is essential.
Deep dives
Significant Decrease in Physical Activity
Humans today are significantly less active than they were before the Industrial Revolution, with the average American walking about 2.5 miles a day compared to approximately 10 miles daily in the past. A notable study highlighted the activity levels of participants who lived like Australian settlers from the 1700s, showing they were 2.3 times more active than modern individuals. This suggests a profound shift in lifestyle and physical engagement as technology has reduced the need for manual effort. Additionally, research on the Hadza hunter-gatherer tribe indicates they engage in over 14 times the physical activity of contemporary Americans, emphasizing the drastic decline in activity levels over time.
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