story by Claire Miller
The city of Atlanta has been ranked the 10th healthiest metropolitan area in the United States, according to the American College of Sports Medicine’s 2021 American Fitness Index (AFI).
The annual index ranks the country’s 100 largest cities and incorporates numerous health factors into its calculations, including preventive health behaviors, levels of chronic disease, health care access and community resources and policies that support physical activity.
Arlington, Va., took the top spot on this year’s index, followed closely by Minneapolis, Minn., and Seattle, Wash.
Atlanta has ranked in the top 20 for the last several years and 2021 marks the first year the city has reached the top 10. According to the AFI, about 81 percent of the city’s population exercised in the last month, 72 percent live within a 10-minute walk to a park and 65 percent sleep seven or more hours each night.
The city’s investment in infrastructure that supports healthy lifestyles also contributed to Atlanta’s rise in the rankings, according to Walt Thompson, retired College of Education & Human Development associate dean who also serves as an AFI Advisory Board member and an author of the report.
“Because of the commitment of city leaders, Atlanta has been transformed to one of the leading cities that promotes the health of its population,” he said. “From the BeltLine to the new bike lanes, Atlanta is now known as one of the top cities promoting and supporting fitness.”
For more information about the index, visit www.americanfitnessindex.org.