Healthies City In U.S. Named

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) , Burlington, Vermont is the healthiest city in America. The CDC ranks Burlington number 1 as they have the largest proportion of people who say they are in good health, 92%. In addition to good health, they are the best in exercise, among the lowest in obesity, diabetes and other measure of health.

On the other end of the scale is Huntington, West Virginia. Being named the most unhealthy city in the US. So what are the big differences?

• Burlington is younger, with an average age of 37, compared to 40 in Huntington according to the Census Bureau


• Burlington is better off financially, with 8 percent living at the federal poverty level, compared to 19 percent in Huntington.


• Nearly 40 percent of Burlington area residents having at least a college bachelor's degree. Only 15 percent in the Huntington area do.


• Bicycling, hiking skiing, and other exercises are common in Burlington.


• Huntington is an off the beaten path college town.


• Burlington is helped by the presence of IBM and other employers offering more generous health benefits and corporate wellness programs than companies in Huntington.

Each year several companies or government agencies release rankings like this. Each one judges a city for something different. At my job, we challenge cities across America to compete against each other to be the fittest and healthiest city. This ranking is based on fitness minutes. It's a fun challenge and definitely motivating to see how you rank up against other cities. Check it out at SparkPeople.com or SparkCincinnati.com if you live where I do.

For those who live in Cincinnati, we rank 92 according to the CDC - falling behind Columbus, Cleveland and Pittsburg. But according the SparkPeople ranking we are number 12, only falling behind Cleveland. So get off your butts, exercise, eat right and make yourself and city proud.