TUESDAY, May 15, 2018 (HealthDay News) -- Arlington, Va. is the "most fit city in America."
So says the American College of Sports Medicine.
Among the nation's 100 largest cities, Arlington had the lowest smoking rate and highest reports of very good or excellent health, the sports medicine group said.
The city received an overall score of 77.7 on the college's annual fitness index -- just half a point ahead of Minneapolis and 3.7 points ahead of neighboring Washington, D.C.
The fitness index analyzes 33 measures of health behaviors, chronic diseases and community infrastructure, such as walking and biking capability.
Other cities in the top 10 include: Madison, Wis.; Portland, Ore.; Seattle; Denver; St. Paul, Minn.; San Jose, Calif.; and Boise, Idaho.
The five lowest-ranked cities were: Oklahoma City; Indianapolis; Louisville, Ky.; Detroit; and Toledo, Ohio.
"Obesity rates have climbed to 40 percent, and related medical costs are exceeding $147 billion yearly," said Barbara Ainsworth, chair of the fitness index board.
"Along with dietary changes, exercise is one of the best ways people can turn this around; unfortunately, only 22 percent of Americans are meeting national physical activity guidelines," she said in a college news release.
Overall, the index found that more than three-quarters of adults in all 100 cities were physically active in the previous month. But only about half met aerobic activity guidelines and just 22 percent met both strength and aerobic guidelines.
Other highlights from the report:
"Through the expanded fitness index rankings, more citizens and government leaders will be informed and motivated in developing strategies to improve health and fitness opportunities, and modify the infrastructures to support them," Ainsworth said.
More information
The U.S. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute offers a guide to physical activity.