Arlington, VA and Washington, D.C., are ranked as the top two cities, respectively, in the 16th annual ACSM American Fitness Index rankings report* published by the American College of Sports Medicine and the Elevance Health Foundation.
Arlington was named America’s Fittest City for the sixth consecutive year, with top scores for personal health and community/environment sub-scores.
The ACSM/Elevance Health Fitness Index evaluated America’s 100 largest cities using 34 “evidence-based” indicators.
“No city is immune to chronic disease, but, fortunately, every city and every person can take positive steps toward creating healthier lifestyles,” said Shantanu Agrawal, M.D., chief health officer of Elevance Health. “Physical activity has proven to be an effective tool in reducing the prevalence of many chronic diseases. Getting sufficient physical activity could prevent one in 12 cases of diabetes, one in 15 cases of heart disease and one in 10 premature deaths. We also know that food is medicine, and consistent access to nutritious food is an essential part of maintaining health. When we provide our bodies with nutritious foods, we are less affected by diet-sensitive chronic conditions. Proper nutrition, fitness and health are deeply connected, and when we prioritize all three, we can improve our quality of life.”
The research findings show that the impacts of the pandemic are still impacting the U.S., with its full implications not known for decades.
“The importance of the Fitness Index has taken on new meaning for individuals and communities seeking to improve their health and well-being,” said Stella Volpe, Ph.D., RDN, FACSM, ACSM-CEP, chair of the American Fitness Index Advisory Board, and ACSM president-elect. “Research suggests that to improve physical and mental health, prevent disease and disability, and enhance the quality of life for all Americans, we must create a culture that integrates physical activity into our daily lives.”
ACSM recommends at least 150 minutes per week of moderate-intensity aerobic activity, about 22 minutes per day, and muscle-strengthening activity twice a week. Volpe said 78 percent of adults in the Fitness Index cities reported exercising in the previous month, but only 51 percent met the aerobic activity guidelines, while a smaller percentage, 24 percent, met aerobic and strength activity guidelines.
“Unfortunately, Americans are still not moving enough,” said Volpe. “This underscores the need for local community leaders to step up and make bold spending choices, policy decisions and infrastructure changes to increase opportunities for residents to be physically active and healthy. Collective actions and resources at the community level greatly influence the health choices available to us, and the Fitness Index is a road map for where communities can improve.”
Arlington, VA, ranked among the Top 10 cities for 16 of 34 indicators, giving it a balance of healthy behaviors and community assets. Arlington had the highest percentage of residents exercising in the last 30 days, the lowest percentage of residents with diabetes, no pedestrian fatalities, and tied for cities with the highest rate of residents who live within a ten-minute walk to a park.
Additional findings from the 2023 Fitness Index ranking report include:
- Cities in the Top 25 generally scored well in health outcomes; however, cities outside of the Top 25 took honors for the lowest rates of asthma and heart disease, with El Paso, TX and Bakersfield, CA, leading the way, respectively.
- Riverside, CA improved the most in this year’s Index, rising 18 spots (from No. 90 to No. 72), the most significant shift being in improvement in personal health indicators; specifically, more people eating fruits and vegetables and fewer days with poor mental health.
- Santa Clarita, CA replaced Hialeah, FL, in Index based on the U.S. Census population data. Santa Clarita, CA was No. 66 in the overall rankings.
- Cities with the highest rates of one chronic disease also tended to have high rates of other chronic diseases and generally ranked in the bottom 25 overall: diabetes and obesity (Laredo, TX); high blood pressure (St. Petersburg, FL); heart disease (Louisville, KY); asthma (Fort Wayne, IN); and stroke (Winston-Salem, NC).
The 2023 ACSM/Elevance Health Fitness Index by U.S. state is listed below.
- Arlington, VA
- Washington, D.C.
- Seattle, WA
- Minneapolis, MN
- Irvine, CA
- Madison, WI
- San Francisco, CA
- Paul, MN
- Denver, CO
- Oakland, CA
- Portland, OR
- Atlanta, GA
- Chicago, IL
- San Diego, CA
- Boston, MA
- San Jose, CA
- Honolulu, HI
- New York, NY
- Spokane, WA
- Santa Ana, CA
- Austin, TX
- Buffalo, NY
- Boise, ID
- Tampa, FL
- Lincoln, NE
- Plano, TX
- Anaheim, CA
- Fremont, CA
- Pittsburgh, PA
- Aurora, CO
- Chula Vista, CA
- Jersey City, NJ
- Petersburg, FL
- Albuquerque, NM
- Colorado Springs, CO
- Richmond, VA
- Newark, NJ
- Sacramento, CA
- Miami, FL
- Norfolk, VA
- Virginia Beach, VA
- Raleigh, NC
- Milwaukee, WI
- Orlando, FL
- Charlotte, NC
- Omaha, NE
- Long Beach, CA
- Durham, NC
- Los Angeles, CA
- Anchorage, AK
- Houston, TX
- Tucson, AZ
- Cleveland, OH
- New Orleans, LA
- Baltimore, MD
- Dallas, TX
- Cincinnati, OH
- Philadelphia, PA
- Scottsdale, AZ
- Chandler, AZ
- Glendale, AZ
- Greensboro, NC
- Phoenix, AZ
- El Paso, TX
- Mesa, AZ
- Santa Clarita, CA
- Jacksonville, FL
- Reno, NV
- Columbus, OH
- Garland, TX
- Stockton, CA
- Riverside, CA
- Arlington, TX
- Fresno, CA
- Winston-Salem, NC
- Laredo, TX
- Gilbert, AZ
- Louis, MO
- Fort Worth, TX
- Lexington, KY
- Corpus Christi, TX
- Irving, TX
- Henderson, NV
- Toledo, OH
- Nashville, TN
- Chesapeake, VA
- Detroit, MI
- Fort Wayne, IN
- Las Vegas, NV
- San Antonio, TX
- `Kansas City, MO
- Lubbock, TX
- Indianapolis, IN
- Tulsa, OK
- Memphis, TN
- North Las Vegas, NV
- Louisville, KY
- Bakersfield, CA
- Wichita, KS
- Oklahoma City, OK
*The Fitness Index features an annual ranking that assigns a score to the 100 most populous cities in the United States. The Fitness Index rankings reflect a composite of preventive health behaviors, levels of chronic disease conditions and community resources and policies that support physical activity. The intent of the rankings is to provide a valid and reliable measure of community fitness at the city level. To access the 16th annual ACSM American Fitness Index, go here.
Photo courtesy ACSM
