Spotlight on Kansas City: Health and Fitness in the City of Fountains

Posted February 1st, 2012

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 pools occupying the city?s 318 square miles.

Kansas City ranked 22nd in the most recent ACSM American Fitness Index? (AFI) data report, which evaluates the 50 most populous city areas and identifies the healthiest and fittest places in the United States. The metro area earned a score of 51.5 (out of 100 possible points) in 2011, moving up from a rank of 29th and a score of 47.9 in 2010.

The area ranked 25th on community/environmental indicators related to the built environment, recreational facilities, physical education requirements and primary health care providers. The study reports 59.3% of the population is in excellent or good health. However, Kansas City continues to struggle with the number of smokers as nearly 20% are currently smoking, down just 1% from 2010 and still above the country?s average.

Despite the larger number of farmer?s markets per capita and City Market, one of the largest and most stable public farmers? markets in the Midwest, only 18.7% of residents report eating 5+ servings of fruits and vegetables per day.

The percentage of residents with chronic health concerns is relatively low and the community still places a strong commitment to physical education classes for the city?s youth. With an abundance of fitness facilities in the Kansas City area, it is only a matter of time before the city can improve it?s ranking.

For a complete list of the Kansas City?s strengths and challenges, plus a breakdown of the components that helped make up its score, please visit the AFI website and download the Kansas City report at www.americanfitnessindex.org/report.htm.

Source: http://www.americanfitnessindex.org/blog/2012/02/spotlight-on-kansas-city-health-and-fitness-in-the-city-of-fountains/

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