Between hectic schedules, revenge bedtime procrastination, and everyday stress, it’s not surprising that Americans are exhausted. New research from the CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) finds that more than two-thirds (71.5%) of adults in the U.S. say they felt fatigue on multiple days over the past three months. And it turns out, women and younger people are more likely to be frequently fatigued than men.
According to lead study author and sociologist Natalie A.E. Young, fatigue is “one of the most frequently reported health concerns in primary care visits in the U.S.” But it’s more than just being extra sleepy, researchers explain fatigue is “physical or mental tiredness or exhaustion that does not improve with additional sleep or rest.” It’s often connected to other health problems, difficulty concentrating and those who have fatigue frequently are more likely to experience cognitive difficulties, depression, and anxiety, Young explains.
“So it’s not just that fatigue is common,” she shares. “It’s that fatigue is common and those with fatigue are facing limitations in their daily lives.”
To get a better idea about the general fatigue so many are dealing with, the NCHS surveyed 27-thousand adults nationwide and found:
- Nearly three in four felt “very tired or exhausted” at least some days during the last three months.
- About one in six experienced frequent fatigue, or feeling very tired or exhausted “most days” or “every day.”
- Adults 65 and older have the lowest rate of frequent fatigue at 12.9%, and it’s highest among younger adults ages 18 to 34, at 19.5%.
- Women are more likely than men to report having frequent fatigue (20% versus 13%).
Source: NBC News