It’s National Farmers Market Week (August 3-9)! As a measure of access to fresh fruits and vegetables with the most nutrients, the ACSM American Fitness Index® considers the number of farmers markets in each metro area. Farmers markets can provide fresh and locally grown produce to metro areas where access to healthy food can be …
July is National Park and Recreation Month!
Since 1985, America has celebrated July as the nation’s official Park and Recreation Month. The American Fitness Index recognizes the importance of community parks and recreational areas and the role they play as a contributing environmental indicator for better health and physical activity. OUT is IN A study conducted for the National Recreation and Park …
Washington, D.C., Claims Top Ranking on Annual Fit City Index
The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), with support from the WellPoint Foundation, unveiled its seventh annual American Fitness Index® () data report during the organization’s annual meeting. The 2014 data report, “Health and Community Fitness Status of the 50 Largest Metropolitan Areas,” reflects a composite of preventive health behaviors, levels of chronic disease conditions, …
Today Show Looks to ACSM for America’s Healthiest City
To help kick off 2014, The Today Show looked at where in America you should go if you want to be “healthy, wealthy and wise”. In their search for evaluating America’s healthiest cities, the show’s producers examined a number sources and ultimately settled on the ACSM American Fitness Index®. For the past three years Minneapolis/St. …
Minneapolis-St. Paul tops Fit List for Third Straight Year
For the third consecutive year, Minneapolis-St. Paul is the healthiest, fittest metropolitan area in the United States, according to the American College of Sports Medicine’s (ACSM) annual American Fitness Index® (). Established six years ago with support from the WellPoint Foundation, the data report evaluates the infrastructure, community assets and policies that encourage healthy and …
Minneapolis-St. Paul Tops Fit List for Second Straight Year
For the second consecutive year, Minneapolis-St. Paul is the healthiest, fittest metropolitan area in the United States, according to the American College of Sports Medicine’s (ACSM) annual American Fitness Index® (). Made possible by a grant from the WellPoint Foundation, the 2012 data report, “Health and Community Fitness Status of the 50 Largest Metropolitan Areas,” …
Building a Healthier Chicago!
ACSM has been proud to work with Assistant Surgeon General Dr. James M. Galloway in the early years of the ACSM American Fitness Index. Dr. Galloway spoke about the importance of the data report to the Building a Healthier Chicago! initiative upon the launch of the program in 2008. Building a Healthier Chicago! is a …
Oklahoma City’s Wellness Now Initiative
From time to time, we like to highlight community initiatives and programs that are making a difference. Wellness Now is a community-led initiative in Oklahoma City, Okla., aimed at addressing the city’s health problems. Oklahoma City ranked 50th in the most recent ACSM American Fitness Index® () data report, which evaluates the 50 most populous …
Spotlight on Phoenix: Health and Fitness in the Valley of the Sun
Today’s post takes a look at the metropolitan statistical area of Phoenix, Arizona; also known as the “Valley of the Sun”. Phoenix is the largest state capital in the country and the metropolitan area is the 14th largest by population. The city is divided into 15 urban villages each with their own unique character. Phoenix …
Spotlight on Kansas City: Health and Fitness in the City of Fountains
Today’s post takes a look at the metropolitan statistical area of Kansas City, Mo. Notably, the city has more parks, golf courses, famer’s markets and ball diamonds per capita than any other state. To be exact, there are 214 urban parks, 152 ball diamonds, 10 community centers, 105 tennis courts, five golf courses, and 30 …
