Health News Dozen: America's Healthiest Cities

Fulfilling the desire to live well is made easier when living in those regions of America that pride themselves on providing the resources for healthy living. Adopting a healthy diet requires grocery stores and markets that provide more organic options, and an exercise plan is easier to implement when biking and walking paths are aplenty, gyms are abundant, and communities provide an exercise-friendly environment.

To compile a comprehensive list of the healthiest cities in America, it would be essential to take numerous criteria into consideration. Cooking Light Magazine did just that and came up with the twenty cities that seemed to cater best to healthy living. All data was calculated on a per-capita basis and grouped into categories before being rated.

Information for the survey and subsequent list was taken from fifteen sources. For food-related data, researchers consulted with the Zagat Survery, LocalHarvest.org, James Beard-nominated restaurants, Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Agriculture Farmer’s Markets Directory, and various organic food store chains like Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods. The general health of the residents of each city was rated based on data from the CDC’s Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, recreational areas were gauged by information from the Trust for Public Land, and areas accessible by foot were listed by the American Podiatric Association.

The magazine’s senior editor, Phillip Rhodes, noted, “Each city reflects the full spectrum of living well in its own unique way—innovative restaurants and markets with nutritious foods, abundant spaces for walking and other exercise, and a population that takes advantage of both. It’s great to know that so many people all over the country have the tools they need to eat smart, be fit, and live well.”

Coming in at the top of the list is Seattle, Washington, a city that seemed to have the best of everything - fresh local foods, walker-friendly streets, and attitudes that support overall healthy living. Just behind is another Northwest city, Portland, that boasts of numerous outdoor activities and healthy restaurants. Ironically, both cities have long rainy seasons that one might think would prohibit exercise and outdoor venues from thriving, but the Northwest has become known for being on the edge of providing alternatives and some of the healthiest restaurants and markets in the country.

Colorado made it on the top twelve list with two cities—Denver and Colorado Springs. Both provide many opportunities for outdoor activities, as the lifestyle of its residents and offerings to tourists revolve around that. The East Coast of the U.S. also made a splash on the list with Washington, D.C., Boston, Philadelphia, and Baltimore. And despite their extremely cold winter seasons, their diverse cultures, encouragement of outdoor activities when possible, and dining options kept them on the list.

Other cities that made the final twenty healthiest cities list were Pittsburgh, St. Louis, New York, Atlanta, Austin, Chicago, Las Vegas, and Kansas City, Missouri.

It is important to note that every city in America has some resources with which to use to live a healthier life. The cities that made the Cooking Light list have more than most, but people in all regions of the country are finding ways to eat healthier and incorporate more exercise into their lives.