- A recent report from the CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) showed that nearly 3 in 4 adults in the United States report experiencing fatigue.
- Women and younger adults reported the highest rates of frequent fatigue.
- Adults with frequent fatigue were more likely to report symptoms of depression and anxiety, as well as cognitive difficulties.
- Frequent fatigue was also associated with limitations in work and social activities.
Fatigue is common among adults in the United States, according to a report published on September 3 from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)’s National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS).
The NCHS found that 71.5% of adults reported experiencing fatigue on at least some days, with 10.7% reporting it on most days.
Frequent fatigue, meaning most days or every day, was reported by 16.6% of adults.
Fatigue is more than just feeling drowsy or tired. It is an extreme sense of tiredness and lack of energy that can interfere with your daily activities and may not improve with sleep.
“The findings are concerning, but not surprising. Many Americans are trying to balance work, family responsibilities, financial pressures, and ongoing uncertainty about the future,” said Matt Glowiak, PhD, and chief addiction specialist with Recovered. Glowiak wasn’t involved in the study.
The report didn’t look at the underlying causes of frequent fatigue. However, experts say stress is one of many factors that can contribute to fatigue.
Women and young adults experience fatigue more often
The NCHS report used data that were collected in the 2024 National Health Interview Survey to estimate fatigue symptoms among adults ages 18 and older.
It found that women were more likely than men to experience frequent fatigue, with 20% reporting it. Younger adults were also more likely to report frequent fatigue, with 19.5% of those ages 18–34 experiencing it.
“Women and young adults often face unique pressures that may contribute to fatigue. Many women balance multiple caregiving, professional, and personal responsibilities, while young adults are navigating major life transitions, financial uncertainty, and high social expectations,” said Glowiak.
“Both groups may also be more aware of and willing to acknowledge their experiences with mental health and well-being, which can influence how fatigue is recognized and reported.”
The report also found differences in frequent fatigue by race and ethnicity:
- American Indian and Alaska Native adults (25.5%)
- white adults (18%)
- Black adults (17.3%)
- Hispanic adults (12.9%)
Frequent fatigue was also more common in certain regions, with 17.7% in the South and 17.5% in the Midwest reporting it.
Frequent fatigue was also more common in rural areas (20.5%) than in urban areas (14.5%).
Fatigue can affect daily functioning
Individuals with frequent fatigue also often reported other functioning difficulties, including:
- 69.6% reported symptoms of anxiety
- 46.1% reported cognitive difficulty
- 45% reported symptoms of depression
Compared with people without frequent fatigue, those who experienced frequent fatigue were more than three times as likely to have symptoms of depression and twice as likely to report cognitive difficulties and anxiety symptoms.
People with frequent fatigue also found that their work and social lives were impacted. Work limitations were reported by 36% of those with frequent fatigue.
When it came to social activities, 16.2% reported some difficulty with social activities, while 12.8% reported a lot of difficulty or said they couldn’t engage in these activities at all.
Intensity of fatigue symptoms
The largest proportion of people (45.3%) with frequent fatigue reported that their symptoms lasted some of the day, while 34.5% reported symptoms lasting most of the day, and 20.2% reported symptoms that lasted all day.
The largest proportion (46.8%) also reported that their fatigue was “between a little and a lot.” Others described their fatigue as “a lot” (38.8%) and “a little” (14.5%).
Chronic stress may contribute to fatigue
Fatigue can be a symptom of other health conditions or a side effect of medications. However, it can also be connected to stress.
“The possible causes of fatigue, both physical and mental, are vast. Even a single person may experience multiple triggers for their fatigue,” said David Cutler, MD, board certified family medicine physician at Providence Saint John’s Health Center in Santa Monica, CA, who wasn’t involved in the study.
Chronic stress can lead to prolonged changes in stress hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline, which may contribute to fatigue.
The most recent Stress in America Survey by the American Psychological Association (APA) found that a majority of adults felt isolated, left out, and more stressed about the future than before.
Glowiak agreed with this and added, “When stress becomes chronic, fatigue can become a common part of daily life rather than an occasional experience.”
Fatigue is also a common symptom of menopause
Fatigue during menopause stems from a complex mix of metabolic, hormonal, and psychosocial changes that can disrupt the body’s energy balance.
Of all the symptoms that can worsen during the course of menopause, fatigue is clinically significant because it can be disabling.
It is also one of the most common and distressing symptoms.
One study found that 85.3% of postmenopausal women and 46.5% of perimenopausal women reported physical and mental exhaustion.
How to manage fatigue and when to contact a doctor
You may want to consider speaking with a healthcare professional if your fatigue lasts more than a couple of weeks or if it begins to interfere with your daily activities.
It is also a good idea to check with your doctor if fatigue is severe or comes with other symptoms, such as unexplained weight loss, shortness of breath, or fever.
Glowiak told Healthline that managing fatigue begins with identifying potential contributors.
Cutler agreed and added that identifying the cause requires a careful, detailed understanding of all aspects of a patient’s life and medical history.
Cutler also added that it is important to validate a person’s experience of fatigue and recognize that the symptom is real. Supportive treatment is important while the diagnostic process seeks to identify an underlying cause.
“Once the source is better understood, people can take intentional steps to address it, such as setting boundaries, improving sleep habits, seeking support, or making lifestyle changes. Awareness is important, but meaningful change often requires action,” Glowiak said.
Women, Young Adults Experience Fatigue More Often, Says CDC
Source: Pinoy Lang Sakalam
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