Nation's Most Active Cities: 5 Colorado Spots Make The Cut

Denver CO

21 April, 2022

10:45 AM

Description

COLORADO — Residents in five Colorado cities are among the nation's most active people, according to a new report. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce shared the findings this month, consulting data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's "PLACES" report and compiling exercise and physical activity trends self-reported by residents in large, medium and small cities. Denver, Colorado Springs, Fort Collins, Arvada and Centennial residents are some of the most active in the nation, the chamber reports. Researchers aimed to learn more about fitness trends as COVID-19 restrictions eased, after an earlier study found overall physical activity declined during the pandemic, the chamber said. "The questions of whether and how much people are exercising post-pandemic are important because maintaining adequate levels of physical activity is a key component of individual and public health," the Chamber wrote. "Experts have identified a number of benefits associated with a physically active lifestyle, including reduced blood pressure, improved mood and energy levels, and better sleep." Overall, the study found rates of physical activity varied widely among states, but was generally highest in the West, led by Colorado and Washington. Researchers calculated the number of adults who said they participated in "leisure-time physical activity," from running and calisthenics to golf and gardening. The Chamber said its findings appeared to support the correlation between higher physical activity and healthier cities, but noted incomes and access to outdoor recreation play significant roles. Seattle claimed the top spot in the large cities category, edging out Minneapolis, with nearly 85 percent of adults reported to be physically active. Most 'Physically Active' Large Cities 1. Seattle, WA Share of adults who are physically active: 84.7 percentShare of adults who are obese: 22.1 percentShare of adults with high cholesterol: 27.3 percentShare of adults with diabetes: 7.4 percentShare of adults with depression: 23.5 percent 2. Minneapolis, MN Share of adults who are physically active: 81.1 percentShare of adults who are obese: 27.5 percentShare of adults with high cholesterol: 25.7 percentShare of adults with diabetes: 8.8 percentShare of adults with depression: 22.8 percent 3. San Francisco, CA Share of adults who are physically active: 80.9 percentShare of adults who are obese: 16.1 percentShare of adults with high cholesterol: 26.8 percentShare of adults with diabetes: 9.1 percentShare of adults with depression: 14.5 percent 4. Denver, CO Share of adults who are physically active: 80.9 percentShare of adults who are obese: 22.0 percentShare of adults with high cholesterol: 26.2 percentShare of adults with diabetes: 7.7 percentShare of adults with depression: 18.4 percent 5. Colorado Springs, CO Share of adults who are physically active: 80.1 percentShare of adults who are obese: 24.4 percentShare of adults with high cholesterol: 28.8 percentShare of adults with diabetes: 7.2 percentShare of adults with depression: 20.1 percent Most 'Physically Active' Small Cities 1. Bellevue, WA Share of adults who are physically active: 86 percentShare of adults who are obese: 19.1 percentShare of adults with high cholesterol: 27.2 percentShare of adults with diabetes: 6.6 percentShare of adults with depression: 21 percent 2. Arvada, CO Share of adults who are physically active: 84.9 percentShare of adults who are obese: 24.3 percentShare of adults with high cholesterol: 25.6 percentShare of adults with diabetes: 5.9 percentShare of adults with depression: 17.5 percent 3. Centennial, CO Share of adults who are physically active: 84.6 percentShare of adults who are obese: 21.3 percentShare of adults with high cholesterol: 25.4 percentShare of adults with diabetes: 5.6 percentShare of adults with depression: 17.7 percent 4. Carlsbad, CA Share of adults who are physically active: 84.1 percentShare of adults who are obese: 20.4 percentShare of adults with high cholesterol: 26.5 percentShare of adults with diabetes: 6.4 percentShare of adults with depression: 19.1 percent 5. Fort Collins, CO Share of adults who are physically active: 84.1 percentShare of adults who are obese: 24.3 percentShare of adults with high cholesterol: 25.5 percentShare of adults with diabetes: 6.3 percentShare of adults with depression: 18.4 percent >> Read more via the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.