Due to the temptation posed by Houston’s bountiful culinary scene, from its amazing AYCE buffets, hamburger joints, and decadent donut shops, you’d think that health-wise, Houston would lean on the unapologetically unhealthy side. Not to mention, the few (but fabulous) walkable areas in Houston. When it comes to health, however, obesity rates and physical activity are just two of many factors.
Healthnews recently conducted a study ranking the healthiest cities in America. The study, collecting data from the 40 largest cities in the world, rated the cities based on 10 metrics:
- average weekly physical activity
- average workweek length
- air quality index
- happiness index
- sunshine hours
- obesity rates
- total number of hospitals
- price of bottled water
- cost of an adult fitness club membership
- average sleep duration
Through the study’s analysis, Houston ranked as the 4th healthiest city to live in the United States, and the 12 healthiest city to live in the world.
“We assigned weighted scores to each metric and then combined them to give each city a total score out of 100,” the study reads. “This total score helped us rank the cities, identifying the best ones for healthy living.”
Internationally, the study ranked Amsterdam in The Netherlands as the healthiest city in the world, citing its pronounced cycling culture, exceptional average weekly physical activity – twice the global average – and minimal average workweek.
Where the US in concerned, the top 5 healthiest cities according to the study are ranked as follows:
- Boston (3rd worldwide)
- Chicago (6th worldwide)
- Miami (9th worldwide)
- Houston (12th worldwide)
- New York (16th worldwide)
Compared to the top 5 US cities, Houston has the second highest hours of sunshine yearly, the most affordable monthly fitness club fees, and the most affordable prices for bottled water.
Houston’s scores for happiness, mean number of physical exercise hours per week, and obesity percentage levels tied the other top 5 US cities.