JimBob
02-11-2008, 08:07 PM
Men's Fitness magazine ranks OKC among fattest cities
By Associated Press
2/11/2008 3:59 PM
OKLAHOMA CITY -- Oklahoma City residents appear to be getting fatter.
A fitness survey of the 50 largest cities in the nation conducted by Men's Fitness magazine and released Monday shows Oklahoma City has moved up seven spots in the 2008 survey to No. 8 on the magazine's list of the ten fattest cities.
Colorado Springs topped the list of the fittest cities, climbing two spots from No. 3, followed by Minneapolis, Albuquerque, N.M., Denver and Portland, Ore. Las Vegas once again was the fattest city, followed by four Texas cities -- Arlington, San Antonio, Fort Worth and El Paso.
The magazine annually ranks the country's fittest and fattest cities based on 17 different categories that include things like sports participation, number of fitness centers and fast food restaurants per capita, and access parks and open spaces, recreational facilities and health care.
"The first thing we do, of course, is try to determine all of those things that affect someone's fitness," said Roy S. Johnson, editor-in-chief of Men's Fitness.
The 17 criteria fall into five general categories: healthy habits, risk factors, natural environment, urban environment, and attitudes and action.
"Those are the categories, and then we weight them according to how we feel they impact the citizenry," Johnson said. "Sports participation, obviously the amount of stuff people do where they get off their duffs and go outside, and the amount of parks and open space, we value that very highly."
Oklahoma scored poorly in the percentage of residents who are clinically obese and who hadn't reported any leisure time exercise in the last month. The city also ranked last in the number of basketball courts per capita and among the lowest for health club membership, use of stationary bicycles and participation in fitness walking.
The city received positive points for short commute times, low rates of alcohol consumption and Oklahoma City Mayor Mick Cornett's emphasis on fitness-related events.
Johnson said another initiative launched by Cornett earlier this year to encourage city residents to shed one million pounds should help the city in next year's ranking.
"Nothing bad can come of that," Johnson said. "Even if the city loses only a quarter of a million pounds, how bad is that? I would love to see the message also emphasize fitness and working out."
Cornett said Oklahoma City's inclusion on lists like the one in Men's Fitness is what prompted him to launch the Web site, www.thiscityisgoingonadiet.com, which allows residents to track their weight loss and includes lists of healthy recipes and fitness centers in the city.
"I'm disappointed we're on the list, but not surprised," Cornett said. "This city sets a high standard for itself in so many areas, and when it comes to health, we set a low standard."
As of Monday, nearly 15,000 people had registered on the Web site and lost more than 26,000 pounds since Jan. 1. Cornett said the initiative has the city moving in the right direction.
"I see it and sense it," Cornett said. "I really feel like this initiative is the beginning of a cultural change in this community toward valuing its health.
"It's not the distance we travel. It's the direction that we turn."
Cornett said other health benefits should be realized from two separate bond issues approved by voters last year -- one that includes funding for 350 miles of new sidewalks and another school bond issue that has funding to build new gymnasiums at each of the city's elementary schools.
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The Fittest Cities in America:
1. Colorado Springs
2. Minneapolis
3. Albuquerque, N.M.
4. Denver
5. Portland, Ore.
6. Virginia Beach, Va.
7. Seattle
8. Honolulu
9. San Francisco
10. Milwaukee
The Fattest Cities in America:
1. Las Vegas
2. Arlington, Texas
3. San Antonio
4. Fort Worth, Texas
5. El Paso, Texas
6. Dallas
7. Miami
8. Oklahoma City
9. Mesa, Ariz.
10. Houston
By Associated Press
2/11/2008 3:59 PM
OKLAHOMA CITY -- Oklahoma City residents appear to be getting fatter.
A fitness survey of the 50 largest cities in the nation conducted by Men's Fitness magazine and released Monday shows Oklahoma City has moved up seven spots in the 2008 survey to No. 8 on the magazine's list of the ten fattest cities.
Colorado Springs topped the list of the fittest cities, climbing two spots from No. 3, followed by Minneapolis, Albuquerque, N.M., Denver and Portland, Ore. Las Vegas once again was the fattest city, followed by four Texas cities -- Arlington, San Antonio, Fort Worth and El Paso.
The magazine annually ranks the country's fittest and fattest cities based on 17 different categories that include things like sports participation, number of fitness centers and fast food restaurants per capita, and access parks and open spaces, recreational facilities and health care.
"The first thing we do, of course, is try to determine all of those things that affect someone's fitness," said Roy S. Johnson, editor-in-chief of Men's Fitness.
The 17 criteria fall into five general categories: healthy habits, risk factors, natural environment, urban environment, and attitudes and action.
"Those are the categories, and then we weight them according to how we feel they impact the citizenry," Johnson said. "Sports participation, obviously the amount of stuff people do where they get off their duffs and go outside, and the amount of parks and open space, we value that very highly."
Oklahoma scored poorly in the percentage of residents who are clinically obese and who hadn't reported any leisure time exercise in the last month. The city also ranked last in the number of basketball courts per capita and among the lowest for health club membership, use of stationary bicycles and participation in fitness walking.
The city received positive points for short commute times, low rates of alcohol consumption and Oklahoma City Mayor Mick Cornett's emphasis on fitness-related events.
Johnson said another initiative launched by Cornett earlier this year to encourage city residents to shed one million pounds should help the city in next year's ranking.
"Nothing bad can come of that," Johnson said. "Even if the city loses only a quarter of a million pounds, how bad is that? I would love to see the message also emphasize fitness and working out."
Cornett said Oklahoma City's inclusion on lists like the one in Men's Fitness is what prompted him to launch the Web site, www.thiscityisgoingonadiet.com, which allows residents to track their weight loss and includes lists of healthy recipes and fitness centers in the city.
"I'm disappointed we're on the list, but not surprised," Cornett said. "This city sets a high standard for itself in so many areas, and when it comes to health, we set a low standard."
As of Monday, nearly 15,000 people had registered on the Web site and lost more than 26,000 pounds since Jan. 1. Cornett said the initiative has the city moving in the right direction.
"I see it and sense it," Cornett said. "I really feel like this initiative is the beginning of a cultural change in this community toward valuing its health.
"It's not the distance we travel. It's the direction that we turn."
Cornett said other health benefits should be realized from two separate bond issues approved by voters last year -- one that includes funding for 350 miles of new sidewalks and another school bond issue that has funding to build new gymnasiums at each of the city's elementary schools.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Fittest Cities in America:
1. Colorado Springs
2. Minneapolis
3. Albuquerque, N.M.
4. Denver
5. Portland, Ore.
6. Virginia Beach, Va.
7. Seattle
8. Honolulu
9. San Francisco
10. Milwaukee
The Fattest Cities in America:
1. Las Vegas
2. Arlington, Texas
3. San Antonio
4. Fort Worth, Texas
5. El Paso, Texas
6. Dallas
7. Miami
8. Oklahoma City
9. Mesa, Ariz.
10. Houston