These Cities Are Into Being Fit
Where you live can have a big impact on your health. The American College of Sports Medicine just released its rankings of the fittest U.S. cities, and it turns out cities that prioritize outside exercise and discourage long commutes, among other factors, have better health outcomes for residents.
“Some cities just make it easy to be fit. Parks everywhere, easy access to bike paths, clean air and the whole bit,” Men’s Health reports. “This year, Arlington, Virginia claims the number-one spot as the Fittest City, according to the 2019 American Fitness Index, compiled by the American College of Sports Medicine and the Anthem Foundation.”
The Pacific Northwest is the fittest region of America, with cities like Seattle (the second-fittest city), San Francisco, and Portland all gracing the top ten. The Upper Midwest is apparently a great place to get fit as well–major metropolises Minneapolis, Minnesota, and Madison, Wisconsin, came in third and fifth place, respectively.
The study factored in things like access to farmer’s markets, the number of parks, and other measures of fitness besides residents’ average BMI, which has been used to compile other lists of the fittest cities.
“The report ranks 100 cities, not by residents’ body fat percentages or VO2max; the investigators look at 33 different indicators of how to fit the city is, factoring in facets of individual health—like how often people exercise and whether they report that they’re in good or excellent health—and including community health indicators as well, like how close you live to a park, your proximity to fresh fruits and vegetables, and recreational facilities in the area,” Men’s Health reports. Factors that discourage exercise and healthy eating, like high rates of pedestrian fatalities, detracted from individual cities’ scores.
-
Hamtramck’s Flag Ban Sparks Controversy and Reflection A lively debate unfolded during a recent meeting of the Hamtramck City...
-
Donald Trump’s Not Guilty Plea Sets Stage for Legal Battle Over Classified Documents Charges Former President Donald Trump has...
-
Unexplained Fish Mortality Strikes Quintana Beach County Park Thousands of lifeless fish were discovered strewn across the shores of...
-
President Joe Biden’s administration faces criticism online due to its recent Pride Month display at the White House, with...
-
Former U.S. President Indicted Again for taking classified documents Former President Donald Trump has been indicted for a second...
-
Federal student loan borrowers are in a tough situation as the pause on loan payments, implemented during the pandemic,...
-
A recent investigation by the Wall Street Journal has exposed Instagram’s alleged involvement in facilitating illegal activities, particularly concerning...
-
On Tuesday, New York City ranked highest in global air pollution as smoke from Quebec’s raging wildfires swept southward,...
-
Recent mass shootings have once again highlighted the alarming issue of gun violence in the United States. While mass...
-
Transgender Warning: Companies Like Target Must Stand with Us The tension between transgender individuals and companies like Target is...
-
Climate Shocks and Insurance: The Financial Toll on America’s Homes The climate crisis is no longer just an environmental...
-
Give Ron a Run for President: DeSantis Challenges Trump for GOP Nomination Ron DeSantis, the Florida governor known for...