America's healthiest cities: A geographic perspective.

Before the heart of this entry can be typed, one must read this link from TODAY: http://www.today.com/health/healthy-wealthy-wise-americas-fittest-city-2D11957442


The 20 healthiest cities in the USA:

1. Minneapolis, St. Paul
2. Washington, D.C.
3. Boston
4. San Francisco
5. Hartford, Conn.
6. Sacramento, Calif.
7. Portland, Ore.
8. Seattle
9. Denver, Colo.
10. Austin, Texas
11. Virginia Beach, Va. 
12. San Jose, Calif.
13. Salt Lake City
14. Raleigh, N.C.
15. Pittsburgh, Pa.
16. San Diego, Calif.
17. Richmond, Va. 
18. Providence, R.I.
19. Baltimore. Md. 
20. Cincinnati, Ohio

The healthiest, Minneapolis-St. Paul, located in one of the coldest states in the USA, stands out in a way. Though Seattle is the northernmost city on this list, Minneapolis-St. Paul area is the coldest among them. One might think the coldest places would be the unhealthiest. One might think "cabin fever". Well, there are more factors to consider. According to the article, urban planning is something to look at. Minneapolis has among the highest number of parks in the USA. It is one of the most bicycle-friendly cities in the USA, up there with Portland.Oregon(also among the top 20 healthiest cities in the nation). So in some ways, it makes sense that Twin Cities area is among the healthiest places in the USA. 

Consider the map above. Minneapolis, the healthiest, is in Minnesota. As far as obesity rates are concerned, Minnesota and Illinois have the lowest obesity rates in the Midwestern USA. California has the most cities under the "healthiest category". Los Angeles is not among them though. However, California has a relatively low obesity rate than most places in the USA. California is known for having an outdoorsy lifestyle. And why not? Swimming in the Pacific Ocean, hiking, biking, skiing, and there are ample options for healthy foods. Considering that California grows a variety of fruits and vegetables, it makes perfect sense that the vegetarian lifestyle is quite welcomed and accepted there. States with low obesity rates such as Colorado, Utah, Massachusetts, and Connecticut have cities in the "healthiest" category, such as Denver, Boston, Hartford, and Salt Lake City. Colorado and Utah are known for having outdoorsy lifestyles, with ample hiking, skiing, and other outdoor activities. Washington DC also has a low obesity rate. 

Pittsburgh, Austin, and Virginia Beach seem to be the biggest standouts. Austin especially. Pittsburgh has changed alot from its days in the steel mill industry, so the city has most likely cleaned up, and there is a healthier lifestyle that has come from this as well. However, Pennsylvania as a whole has a relatively high obesity rate. Austin stands out because Texas has among the highest obesity rates in the nation. Austin stands out within the state of Texas for many reasons. It is politically more liberal than other Texas cities, is widely known for being a college city (UTX-Austin anyone?), and is known for the "Keep Austin Weird" thing. Austin is known for being different from other Texas cities, a lifestyle different from other cities, and there are mostly likely more things to accommodate a healthier lifestyle. Virginia Beach, well, one could consider the high military population, which is required to be in better physical condition than those in the civilian population. Another factor is being near the ocean, which means many opportunities for swimming.

Of course, there is more to look at that just obesity. Look at heart disease, pollution, stress, and other indicators.