Fitness and Obesity in America

Interesting article today from Forbes on the healthiest and least healthy cities in America:

http://www.forbes.com/2010/05/21/fittest-cities-washington-lifestyle-health-exercise-obesity.html

America's fittest cities:

1. Washington, DC
2. Boston, Mass.
3. Minneapolis, Minn.
4. Seattle, Wash.
5. Portland, Ore.
6. Denver, CO
7. Sacramento, CA
8. San Francisco, CA
9. Hartford, Conn.
10. Austin, TX

America's most sluggish cities (I guess they were afraid to use the word fat):

1. Oklahoma City, OK
2. Birmingham, Ala.
3. Memphis, Tenn.
4. Detroit, MI
5. Louisville, KY
6. Las Vegas, Nev.
7. Indianapolis, Ind.
8. San Antonio, TX
9. Houston, TX
10. New Orleans, LA

It is interesting to note whereas there are some surprises with the fittest cities, Hartford? Sacramento?, the fittest cities are generally dispersed rather evenly across the country, whereas a majority of the more sluggish cities are concentrated in the South. My only assumption, based on my summer in Atlanta, and visits to Texas, Florida, and Louisiana is that the cultural dishes and popular foods are heavy on fried meals, and lots of high-fat meat.