Watch out Miami, L.A., and New York, you've got competition. For the fifth consecutive year, Arlington, Va was named the fittest U.S. city by the American College of Sports Medicine's (ACSM's) American Fitness Index, with Washington D.C. trailing closely behind at #4. ACSM is the largest sports medicine and exercise science organization in the world.
So, what gives? How did this relatively small suburb outshine its more notable competitors? This year the science-based index evaluated 100 of America's largest cities based on 34 indicators of personal and community health (think exercise, sleep, chronic disease, parks, playgrounds, bike paths, safe streets and more, that support a physically active lifestyle). Below are the six health indicators for which Arlington ranked #1:
- Percentage of population exercising in the previous month.
- Percentage of population in excellent or very good health.
- Percentage of population with poor physical health in the previous month
- Percentage of population with high blood pressure.
- Percentage of population with stroke.
- Percentage of population with diabetes.
An Arlington City spokesperson that spoke with NewsWeek reported the city's "walkability and bikeability" are the healthiest aspects of life in Arlington. And she might be on to something because in June 2022, Arlington County was named among the five "Walk Friendly Platinum Communities in the U.S.”
But Arlington isn't the only Washington D.C. suburb with accolades: According to a U.S. News & World Report ranking, Fairfax County is in the top 20 of healthiest communities in the United States. The report highlights the healthiest 500 counties in the United States and Fairfax County ranked 17th in this year's rankings. Key markers were the area's low number of smokers and high level of physical activity.
Other cities looking to be viewed as more healthy should use these markers as a road map. Among the obvious health incentives, ““Cities that are well-designed to promote physical activity have economic benefits as well, such as increased home values, business and job growth, and an influx of new residents.”
So, next time when you think of America's 'fittest' city-- make sure to think of the DMV area!