|
By Alicia Tamayo
The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) just released
their annual American Fitness Index (AFI) ratings of the nation's
fittest cities. AFI is a scientific, data-driven report that
provides a unique measure of health, fitness and quality of
life in America's 50 most populous metropolitan areas. Cities
are ranked based on the health of their residents (levels
of obesity and other chronic disease conditions), health care
access, as well as community resources and policies that support
physical activity.
Which cities came out on top and which ones need to step
up their game? Minneapolis, MN takes the "Fittest City"
title this year - moving up from 3rd place just last year.
Washington, Boston, Portland and Denver follow closely behind
rounding out the top 5. The lowest ranked cities are Detroit,
Birmingham, Memphis, Louisville, and worst of all Oklahoma
City, OK. See the full rankings below!
So, what's so "fit" about Minneapolis? Compared
the U.S. value and the other studied cities, Minneapolis has:
 -
Higher median household income
- Lower percentage of households below
poverty level
- Higher percent of any physical activity or
exercise in the last 30 days
- Higher percent physically active at
least moderately
- Lower percent currently smoking
- Higher percent in excellent or very good health
- Lower percent with asthma, angina or coronary
heart disease, diabetes
- Lower death rate for cardiovascular disease and diabetes
- More farmers' markets per capita
- Higher percent bicycling or walking to work
- More golf courses, parks, rec centers, and tennis courts
per capita
- Higher level of state requirement for Physical
.....and more
On the other end of the spectrum is Oklahoma City, which
had some of the worst numbers. It has 22.8% smokers, compared
to the index average of 17%. It also has the lowest percent
of residents engaging in physical activity in the last 30
days of all 50 cities. It does, however, have a lower percent
unemployed and more acres of parkland per capita.
Check out the rankings below, and see the full report at
AmericanFitnessIndex.org!
1. Minneapolis, MN
2. Washington, DC
3. Boston, MA
4. Portland, OR
5. Denver, CO
6. San Francisco, CA
7. Hartford, CT
8. Seattle, WA
9. Virginia Beach, VA
10. Sacramento, CA
11. San Jose, CA
12. Richmond, VA
13. San Diego, CA
14. Cincinnati, OH
15. Salt Lake City, UT
16. Austin-Round Rock, TX
17. Pittsburgh, PA
18. Atlanta, GA
19. Providence, RI
20. Baltimore, MD
21. Milwaukee, WI
22. Kansas City, MO
23. Buffalo, NY
24. Raleigh, NC
25. Cleveland, OH
26. Saint Louis, MO
27. Philadelphia, PA
28. Chicago, IL
29. Orlando, FL
30. New York, NY
31. Jacksonville, FL
32. Phoenix, AZ
33. San Antonio, TX
34. New Orleans, LA
35. Miami, FL
36. Charlotte, NC
37. Nashville, TN
38. Columbus, OH
39. Dallas, TX
40. Tampa, FL
41. Los Angeles, CA
42. Houston, TX
43. Las Vegas, NV
44. Riverside, CA
45. Indianapolis, IN
46. Detroit, MI
47. Birmingham, AL
48. Memphis, TN
49. Louisville, KY
50. Oklahoma City, OK
|
