Here are some quotes from an article on Forbes.com:
America's Most Obese Cities
Rebecca Ruiz
11-26-07
We are heavier than ever. Once considered an affliction of the lazy and indulgent, obesity now affects about one-third of Americans.
To determine which cities were the most obese, Forbes looked at 2006 data on body mass index, or BMI, collected by the Centers for Disease Control's Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System.
Andrews identified five ways cities could specifically address childhood obesity, as well as larger community health issues. These included improving public space and utilizing parks and recreation areas to encourage physical activity, as well as pursuing healthy food alternatives through community gardens and farmer's markets.
1. Memphis, Tenn.: 34%
2. Birmingham, Ala.: 31.3%
3. San Antonio, Texas: 31.1%
4. Riverside/San Bernardino, Calif.: 30.8%
5. Detroit: 30.4%*
6. Jacksonville, Fla.: 29.8%
7. Nashville, Tenn.: 28.8%
8. Oklahoma City: 27.5%
9. Kansas City, Mo.: 26.9%
10. San Diego, Calif.: 26.7%
11. Cincinnatti 26.3%
12. Indianapolis: 26%
13. (Tie) Baltimore: 25.8%
13. (Tie) New Orleans: 25.8%
13. (Tie) Virginia Beach, Va.: 25.8%
16 Atlanta, Georgia
17. (Tie) Milwaukee: 25.4%
17. (Tie) Richmond, Va
19. (Tie) Austin, Texas
19. (Tie) Las Vegas
"More cities are becoming aware of [obesity] and looking to play a role in improving the situation," Andrews says. He also pointed out that city leaders often preferred to follow a successful example as opposed to chart a new course: "They definitely want to be the second, but may not want to be the first," he says. Regardless, it's clear that rising rates of childhood obesity--17% of children and adolescents ages 12 to 19 are overweight--has prompted cities like Birmingham, Ala., San Diego and Richmond, Va., all on our list, to become more proactive in terms of obesity prevention.
http://www.forbes.com/health/2007/11/14/health-obesity-cities-forbeslife-cx_rr_1114obese.html?partner=aol
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