NEW YORK — Now is the time to either pull out your bragging rights or hang your head in shame. Released last month, the top 25 list of the fattest and fittest cities has changed a bit since last year. So, just what are you doing to either keep your city on the fittest list or help to get it off the fattest list?
Topping the list as the fittest city in the country is rainy Seattle, which rose from the number six position last year. Following close behind are Honolulu, last year's champion, and Colorado Springs. Surprisingly, Arlington, TX, and Cleveland, OH, made the fittest list this time after being on the fattest list last year.
On the top 25 fattest cities list the numbers weren't good for Texas with five of its major cities making the list, including Houston (and Dallas, San Antonio, El Paso and Fort Worth) at the number one spot. The next fattest cities were Philadelphia and Detroit, the previous fattest city in America.
Cities were chosen based on the number of gyms/sporting goods stores, nutrition, exercise/sports options, overweight/sedentary figures, fast-food outlets, alcohol consumption, television viewing, air quality, climate, geography, commute time, parks, recreation facilities and health care. Men's Fitness magazine released the list after researching the 50 largest cities in the country.