Houston is one of America’s Fittest Cities!?

I never thought I would see this day, but it appears that Houston has finally reversed it’s label of being one the Fattest Cities in America.  By using the American Fitness Index, the American College of Sports Medicine has declared that Houston is number 41 in the 50 Fittest Cities list.  The American Fitness Index uses 50 different criteria to determine the Fittest Cities.  A list of our strengths and weaknesses include:

OPPORTUNITIES/CHALLENGES

• Higher percentage of households
• Lower percent in excellent or very good health below poverty level
• Higher percent with diabetes
• Lower percent with health insurance
• Fewer farmers’ markets per capita
• Lower percent using public transportation to work
• Lower percent bicycling or walking to work
• Fewer ball diamonds per capita
• Fewer dog parks per capita
• Fewer park playgrounds per capita
• Fewer golf courses per capita
• Fewer park units per capita
• Fewer recreation centers per capita
• Fewer swimming pools per capita
• Fewer tennis courts per capita
• Lower park-related expenditures per capita
• Lower number of primary health care providers

 The evaluated counties include: Austin, Brazoria, Chambers, Fort Bend, Galveston, Harris, Liberty, Montgomery, San Jacinto, and Waller County

This definitely gives the Houston area hope that we are on the right track.  By being labeled as one of the Fittest Cities, it means we are finally doing some things right.  I have admit, being labeled as one of the America’s Fattest Cities is not a lot of fun.

Read the American Fitness Index – America’s Fittest Cities – Houston Report (pdf)

Read the American Fitness Index – America’s Fittest Cities – Nationwide Report (pdf)
Read the Forbes Story About America’s Fittest Cities – National Article
Read the Houston Business Journal Article – “Houston Area on Fit List”

What are your thoughts about Houston being labeled as one of America’s Fittest Cities?  Do you think we really are one of America’s Fittest Cities?  Also, after looking at the list of things we need to improve, what changes can we make as a community to solve these problems?

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STRENGTHS/ADVANTAGES

• Lower percent with disability
• Lower percent currently smoking
• Lower percent with angina or
• Higher percent of city land area as parkland coronary heart disease
• More acres of parkland per capita
• Higher level of state requirement for Physical Education classes