Here Are The Top 10 Fittest Cities In America

The national's capital isn't just leading our government -- it's setting the standard for fitness, too. According to the latest American Fitness Index, Washington, D.C. is the most fit city in the country, retaining its title for a second year in a row.

So, how is fitness measured? Researchers from the American College of Sports Medicine took at look at obesity, smoking and diabetes rates, plus community and environmental factors that play a substantial role in providing access to better health. The survey answers the question, "I want to be physically active and healthy -- does my environment or the community in which I live support my desire to be healthy?" according to Walter R. Thompson, an AFI advisory board member.

The report looks at data for the 50 largest metropolitan statistical areas in the United States. This year is the first time it has included a look at what percentage of a city's population lives within a 10-minute walk of a park space. The main finding: The top-ranked cities have the most accessible parks.

"For example, 95 percent of the population in Washington, D.C. lives within a 10-minute walk to a park. On the other end of the spectrum, [in] Indianapolis, which is 50th on our list, only 31 percent live within a 10-minute walking distance of a park.” Thompson told The Huffington Post. "Another consideration is how much funding goes to parks. In Washington, D.C., the city spends $287 per person per year on parks. Indianapolis only spends $24 per person per year on parks. All of our top ranked cities all spend more money on parks than our lowest ranked cities."

2015 didn't look quite as good as 2014 fitness-wise, unfortunately. The AFI saw an 11.3 percent drop in the number of people who exercised within the last 30 days, and a 7.8 percent increase in diabetes and death rates.

But hey, at least D.C. is doing well. And so is California. Check out which cities made the top 10 below:






Check out the full 2015 American Fitness Index report to see how the remainder of the 50 largest metro areas stacked up.

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