ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Seattle has been named one of the fittest big cities in the nation, coming in at No. 2, behind Albuquerque, on a list compiled by Men’s Fitness magazine.
Albuquerque, which touts its recreation, including the 10,678-foot mountain and the forest that runs along the Rio Grande, was named the 13th-fittest city last year.
“Albuquerque is turned on, and recognition like this just fuels that phenomenon,” Mayor Martin Chavez said. “Nothing succeeds like success, or I guess you could say nothing is better than fitness.”
The magazine’s nonscientific survey of 50 cities appears in its March issue. Following Albuquerque and Seattle in the most-fit rankings are Colorado Springs; Minneapolis; Tucson, Ariz.; Denver; San Francisco; Baltimore; Portland, Ore.; and Honolulu.
The magazine’s top 10 fattest cities are Las Vegas, up from No. 2 last year; San Antonio, Texas; Miami; Mesa, Ariz.; Los Angeles; Houston; Dallas; El Paso, Texas; Detroit; and San Jose, Calif.
A message left after business hours with the office of Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman was not immediately returned Friday.
“This is not a scientific list; this is a common-sense list,” said Neal Boulton, editor of Men’s Fitness. He said he puts out the fittest and fattest lists each year for one reason – “to motivate folks to look at simple things in their lives they can do to be healthy.”
His survey examines lifestyle factors in each city, including fast-food restaurants per capita and availability of gyms or bike paths.
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