Posted on 11/26/2007 12:46:45 PM PST by MotleyGirl70
Forbes' America's Most Obese Cities.
Did your city make the Fatty List:
1. Memphis, Tenn.: 34%
Researchers have found that residents are aware of the area's obesity problem, currently affecting 34% of its population. Among the causes they blame: high rates of poverty and a culture of Southern hospitality and food that values certain types of dishes--many of them fried--over healthier choices. Memphis actually sits on the western edge of a web of Southern cities along with Birmingham, Ala., and Atlanta, that also landed on our list.
2. Birmingham, Ala.: 31.3%
As the second most obese city, 31.3% of Birmingham's residents have a BMI of 30 or higher. Since 2001, a local non-profit organization called Jones Valley Urban Farm has tried to promote healthy eating habits with community gardening plots. The organization also offers educational programs for grade-school children in an effort to battle the city's high childhood obesity rates.
3. San Antonio, Texas: 31.1%
Arguably the home base for calorie-rich Tex-Mex cuisine, this Texas city comes in a close third as the most obese. City officials, however, have taken note, and are exploring solutions. A team of municipal and school leaders was recently chosen by the National League of Cities to receive technical assistance for one year in combating childhood obesity and adopting wellness initiatives. The league will provide San Antonio and five other cities with experts versed in healthy eating and active living as well as fighting obesity.
4. Riverside/San Bernardino, Calif.: 30.8%
Those living in the city of Riverside and the surrounding metropolitan area, located about an hour east of Los Angeles, are likely victims of a car-centric culture. But despite efforts to promote safe streets and bicycle riding, the obesity epidemic is only getting worse: 30.8% percent of Riverside residents are obese, a 5% increase from 2005. The percentage of people neglecting regular exercise is also creeping upward, now standing at 30%.
5. Detroit: 30.4%*
Parts of this beleaguered city, where 33% of residents live below the poverty line, may qualify as a "food desert," a term used to describe urban areas devoid of healthy, fresh food choices. That may explain why 30.4% of its population, and that of the surrounding area, is obese. Still, it seems the state also suffers from unhealthy eating habits and physical inactivity: Michigan was recently ranked the ninth heaviest state in the nation by the research group Trust for America's Health. The state already promotes healthy living through an initiative called "Step Up Michigan," but the epidemic might require a more aggressive intervention.
6. Jacksonville, Fla.: 29.8%
Perhaps this city's humid climate drives its residents, 29.8% of whom are obese, indoors. In an effort to lessen the area's obesity rate. the city has launched a public health initiative called Healthy Jacksonville, which allows participants to get involved in a community-wide challenge for improved fitness and health. A primary motivator for the city was the $357 million price tag, as measured in 2003, of obesity and overweight health issues in its residents.
7. Nashville, Tenn.: 28.8%
Nashville's obesity crisis is worsening: At 28.8%, the percentage of residents who are obese increased roughly two points last year, while the number of overweight residents rose to 39%, up from 35.5%. The city has tried combating the rising numbers with various health initiatives, including a mile-plus walk with the mayor and day-long events encouraging the use of nearby greenways.
8. Oklahoma City: 27.5%
Mayor Mick Cornett has been working with city leaders to improve local health on a number of fronts. One reason? A whopping 27.5% of Oklahoma City residents are obese. Among other strategies, the city has promoted healthy living by passing a bond measure to build gyms at 47 inner city schools and increasing the number of bike paths. They've also tried to lure high-profile stores like Trader Joe's and Whole Foods while also looking at ways to decrease high rates of fast food consumption.
9. Kansas City, Mo.: 26.9%
Well known for its barbecue, Kansas City has a big appetite. Like other cities on this list, where a culture of food is closely intertwined with a way of life, that may contribute to high levels of obesity. In Kansas City, 26.9% of residents have a BMI higher than 30, which qualifies them as obese. At least many are vocal about improving parks and recreation services, as well as making sidewalks more walkable. When polled by the city government last year, improved parks and sidewalks ranked at the top in terms of what residents most wanted.
10. San Diego, Calif.: 26.7%
The glitz of downtown San Diego belies pockets of poor neighborhoods where access to fresh fruit and vegetables is limited. Other factors contributing to the obesity rate of 26.7% may be car commuting and a large Hispanic population, whose members often have higher incidences of obesity than non-Hispanic whites. To counteract the trend, San Diego County has invested in preventing and reversing childhood obesity by forging collaborative relationships between public and private entities.
11. Cincinnati, Ohio: 26.3%
Though University of Cincinnati researchers have made progress in determining the cause of obesity, the city's waistline continues to expand. Since 2005, the percentage of obese residents has grown 4% to 26.3%. The state is following the lead of cities like San Francisco and New York as it considers a ban on trans fats in restaurants. The mayor has also implemented initiatives to ensure children in underserved communities have access to nutritionally balanced meals.
12. Indianapolis: 26%
As the hub for several interstates that cut through the city, Indianapolis has been dubbed the "Crossroads of America." It's not surprising, also given its notoriety as home to the Indy 500, that Indianapolis has long been considered a driver's city. Local residents, 26% of whom are obese, have paid the price for sprawl policies and a prevailing car culture--with their health. That may change as city planners continue to build and promote greenways and bike paths, including its so-called "cultural trail," an eight-mile path which will connect several neighborhoods.
13. (Tie) Baltimore: 25.8%
Issues like safety, poverty and food access have contributed to the obesity rate in Baltimore, which edged to 25.8% last year, a slight increase from 2005. Various groups, including the Baltimore Neighborhood Indicators Alliance and the Baltimore Neighborhood Research Consortium, are leading efforts to understand what aspects of neighborhood planning best contribute to healthy communities.
13. (Tie) New Orleans: 25.8%
Residents of New Orleans love their food, a lot of which is deep fried. Disentangling a love for food from a need to make healthy eating choices may be the city's greatest challenge. The department of public health has implemented weight loss and physical activity programs tailored for the local population, including an African dance class for women.
13. (Tie) Virginia Beach, Va.: 25.8%
The city of Virginia Beach celebrates its 35 miles of coastline, but given its obesity rate, it's unclear whether an outdoor mentality has become a part of local culture and not just a function of tourism. Among other healthy living promotion strategies, the city instituted an incentive program in 2006 through which employees could earn up to $200 per year by exercising at a gym for a specified number of visits.
16. Atlanta: 25.6%
At 25.6%, roughly one quarter of Atlanta's population is obese. One cause might be sprawling suburban subdivisions which require residents to commute an average of 35 miles per day by car. A study released by a University of British Columbia researcher in January 2007 found that residents of Atlanta drive more than those in most other regions in the country. Researchers also found that 37% of Atlanta residents living in highly walkable neighborhoods were able to get 30 minutes of moderate activity each day, as opposed to those in the least walkable neighborhoods, 18% of whom got similar levels of exercise.
17.(Tie) Milwaukee: 25.4%
Milwaukee is another city on our list that saw its obesity rate increase significantly since 2005. Then, 19.8% of residents were obese, compared with 25.4% in 2006. Another alarming number is the percentage of impoverished city residents: 26.2% of individuals live below the poverty line in Milwaukee. The combined statistics may hint at limited access to healthy, affordable food as a primary cause for the growing obesity rate.
17. (Tie) Richmond, Va.: 25.4%
The obesity crisis in Virginia has caught the attention of state lawmakers, who are currently considering legislation to fight childhood obesity. Richmond joins Virginia Beach as the second Virginian city to rank on our list. Vanderbilt University researchers also recently ranked Richmond among the top 10 cities with the largest gaps in obesity rates between black and white residents, a fact experts should take into consideration as they look at different prevention approaches.
18. (Tie) Austin, Texas: 24.9%
Austin wouldn't have entered our list based on 2005 figures, when only 17.2% of its residents were obese. But in 2006, that number shot up to 24.9%, which was enough to surpass neighboring Houston, an erstwhile "fattest" city. The noticeable shift may shock residents who think of their hometown as healthy and active.
18. (Tie) Las Vegas, NV: 24.9%
Las Vegas, the nation's capital of excess, ties with Austin for last place on our list. Despite the city's many walking groups and fitness initiatives, 24.9% of its population is obese, a nearly four point increase from 21% in the previous year.
I was surprised to see so many southern cities on the list. Wasn't it once thought that people who live in warmer climates year-around live healthier lives; according to this list apparently not.
Just a few words—sweet tea and fried-anything-that-can-possibly-be-fried tend to supersize some Southerners. Not all of us, but apparently lots of us!
Not gonna say it. Nooooo, no. Not me. UUUM mmm.
I’m in 13th place! Is a tie of 3 in 13th place still bad luck? (he asked while munching a cookie)
It’s that good Southern cooking that does us in.
Want to have some fun? Ask a liberal why it is such a large percentage of obese children are from lower income families.
I thought for sure Buffalo/WNY would have been on this list.
4. Riverside/San Bernardino, Calif.: 30.8%
Those living in the city of Riverside and the surrounding metropolitan area, located about an hour east of Los Angeles, are likely victims of a car-centric culture. But despite efforts to promote safe streets and bicycle riding, the obesity epidemic is only getting worse: 30.8% percent of Riverside residents are obese, a 5% increase from 2005. The percentage of people neglecting regular exercise is also creeping upward, now standing at 30%.
driving everywhere plus the fastfood take outs. people here drive even to a liquor store a block away
Interesting metric, that...
In the summer months it’s too hot to exercise, unless you are at a pool! LOL =)
LV buffets can kill!! : )
Southern people eat Southern Food. I think that alone explains it. lol.
Lots of butter and fried foods in the south. Just watch Paula Dean once in a while. :)
Breakfast at Arizona Charlie's
I laughed about that! I love how they cite poverty as a reason for obesity.
Though University of Cincinnati researchers have made progress in determining the cause of obesity, the city's waistline continues to expand. Since 2005, the percentage of obese residents has grown 4% to 26.3%. The state is following the lead of cities like San Francisco and New York as it considers a ban on trans fats in restaurants. The mayor has also implemented initiatives to ensure children in underserved communities have access to nutritionally balanced meals
We really need a BCS Bowl for this food item. We Buckeyes cannot make it to number one, once we lost to those lard-*sses from Illinois.
I figured NYC would make the top 5.
you should try Sunny Side Cafe in Catalina, AZ.
Toss out all the illegals in the South and the obesity levels drop dramtically.
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