Philly - No. 2 amongst fattest cities - PhillyBlog

IMPAQ · #1 (**permalink**) 01-06-2005, 02:08 PM

Quote:

We're fat city again
Philly is back at No. 2 on list of nation's least-fit places

By DON RUSSELL

russeld@phillynews.com

Blame it on that extra helping of Habbersett scrapple or the meatloaf at Jones' or the virtually invisible city fitness czar.

Whatever, like a yo-yo dieter who fell from the Atkins bandwagon, Philadelphia has packed on the poundage again. The city - which last year had dropped to the seventh-least-fit city in the nation - is back up to No. 2.

This, despite Ed Rendell's relocation to Harrisburg.

Only Houston, a city of profound doughballs, outranks us. It regained its No. 1 ranking this year after Roger Clemens signed with the Astros.

The ranking is courtesy of Men's Fitness, a glossy mag featuring topless coverboys with sweaty pec cleavage. Its 7th Annual Fattest and Fittest Cities Report compares 50 cities by weighing 14 factors, including fast-food restaurants per capita, TV- watching, air quality and parks.

Seattle is the nation's No. 1 most-fit city, which comes as no surprise. Drink espresso 24 hours a day and see how many pounds you work off.

But it's the magazine's list of the nation's fattest cities that gets all the attention. The shameful ranking seemingly does more to lower civic prestige than do bad schools and crooked pols.

The fatsos get embarrassed and demand government health club subsidies. Boring but trim towns like Tuscon and Fresno joke at our expense, acting all superior-like.

Ultimately, though, we know whom to blame: The press!

The ranking, some note, is nothing more than an annual circulation gimmick designed to boost barbell sales for the magazine's owner, Weider Fitness.

Nonethless, the Street administration reacted immediately. Said a spokesman:

"The mayor has always been committed to trying to help people have healthy lifestyles. It's hard work and now we'll have to redouble our efforts."

In other words, skip the Cheez Whiz.

Ref.: Daily News

Madgirl · #2 (**permalink**) 01-06-2005, 02:13 PM

I was actually expecting this post to be potty humor. ;-)

stories like this just make me want to go get a doughnut!

Living in roxborough - I have no clue what they are talking about - fast food? what's that?

IMPAQ · #3 (**permalink**) 01-06-2005, 02:56 PM

We're changing people's topic subjects now?

First I thought the folks were overreacting, but now I see what they mean. Sheesh... at least make a suggestion and then I can do it my damn self. ;-)

[EDIT]

And WTF? "Least fit"? We're being PC now?

[EDIT - again]

And why "place"? Having "city-phobia"?

Madgirl · #4 (**permalink**) 01-06-2005, 02:57 PM

HEY - you changed the title of this post - now my potty humor reference at best makes no sense - at worst...

I, of course, responded as such because the original title was "Number 2"

IMPAQ · #5 (**permalink**) 01-06-2005, 02:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Madgirl

HEY - you changed the title of this post - now my potty humor reference at best makes no sense - at worst...

I, of course, responded as such because the original title was "Number 2"

I didn't change it.

[EDIT]

Now I changed it.

mikeg · #6 (**permalink**) 01-06-2005, 02:59 PM

Where's Columbus, OH, on this list? When I was out there on a consulting assignment for a few months last year, my Philly-based co-workers and I laughed at how large, eh-hem, rotund, many of the employees of the firm we were working at were. We used to say they like 'em supersized out in Columbus :shock:.

SurfDog · #7 (**permalink**) 01-06-2005, 03:00 PM

Does anyone know the link to the rankings? I'd like to see the whole list.

SwiftLyons · #8 (**permalink**) 01-06-2005, 05:39 PM

well if we dont win the super bowl, at least we have this :clapping:

chrissayer · #9 (**permalink**) 01-06-2005, 05:56 PM

Men's Fitness magazine site still has 2004 survey. Back when we were svelte and 7th.

I keep looking for the new one - to see if them Red States are still fatter than we are.

philamiata · #10 (**permalink**) 01-06-2005, 06:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SwiftLyons

well if we dont win the super bowl, at least we have this :clapping:

It's still only second best! We should unite as a city and strive for #1 next year, then have a parade down Broad Street!

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