Washington, D.C., Sets Standard For Healthy Living

Copyright 2010 Gannett Company, Inc.All Rights Reserved USA TODAY

May 24, 2010 Monday FIRST EDITION

SECTION: LIFE; Pg. 10B

LENGTH: 416 words

HEADLINE: Washington, D.C., sets standard for healthy living; Boston ranks No. 2 on fitness index

BYLINE: Janice Lloyd

When it comes to healthy living, what is good for the nation's capital is good for the nation as a whole.

The Washington metropolitan area ranks No. 1 for the third straight year in a report released today by the American College of Sports Medicine's American Fitness Index.

The researchers culled data from federal reports and evaluated a multitude of factors, including preventive health behaviors, levels of chronic disease and community health policies for the 50 largest metropolitan areas.

The Washington area scored 73.5 out of 100 possible points. Boston was second with 72.6, and cities in the West dominated the top 10.

"I still think the greatest surprise in these findings is that D.C. is still at the top," says AFI co-chair Barbara Ainsworth of Arizona State University. "Many people perceive it to be crime-ridden and unhealthy, but as a community overall, it has a great infrastructure."

Among findings: The D.C. area has a higher than average percentage of people eating the recommended daily portions of fruit and vegetables and lower than the national average rates of obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Residents have access to parkland, and a significant number can walk to and from work.

Ainsworth notes the movement of No. 7 Sacramento into the top 10 for the first time in the three-year history of the study. Sacramento was No. 12 last year.

"This reflects a tremendous interest to capitalize on their natural resources," Ainsworth says. "They've built up an area around their Old Town on the Sacramento River with farmers markets and other attractions that are easy to walk to."

The score combines two sets of measures, using data from federal reports and other official outlets:

*Personal-health indicators, which measure health behaviors (exercise, smoking, eating healthy meals), chronic health problems and health care.

*Community environmental factors, focusing on parkland, farmers markets, public transportation, dog parks and recreational facilities.

The Washington area was third in both scores. No.12 Cincinnati ranked 27th in personal health indicators, but was first in community factors. No. 6 Denver-Aurora ranked first in personal-health indicators and 14 in community factors.

Ainsworth says the index aims to help communities develop policies affecting health and fitness, showing assets and weaknesses.

ACSM received a grant from the WellPoint Foundation, based in Indianapolis, and worked with 26 health and physical activity experts on the methodology.

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