The nation’s capital, followed by Minneapolis-St. Paul, and San Diego, rank at the top of a list of the fittest cities in the U.S., according to a new report.

At the bottom were Oklahoma City, Memphis, and Indianapolis, according to the 8th Annual American Fitness (AFI) Index, released by the American College of Sports Medicine and the Anthem Foundation.

Cities were judged according to such indicators as the variety of outdoor activity options and rates of smoking, obesity, and diabetes.

The bad news is that report revealed a troubling 11 percent drop in the last year in people who exercised in the last 30 days, and a 7.8 percent increase in the diabetes death rates. In addition, there was a 5.5 percent drop in those who eat enough fruit each day.

On the plus side, there was a 9.5 percent decrease in the percentage of respondents who reported they had been diagnosed with angina or coronary heart disease..

“The AFI is two things: a measure of how healthy a metro area is today, and a call-to-action for urban and suburban leaders to design infrastructures that promote active lifestyles and lead to positive health outcomes,” said Walter R. Thompson, chair of the AFI Advisory Board.

“Our goal is to provide communities and residents with resources that help them assess, respond and achieve a better, healthier life.”
View the complete report here: americanfitnessindex.org.