Jax makes the worst list

[Beloki]

Bases on Health, Life and Fitness we made the worst list at #9 for men and # 11 for women
Worst cities for men to live in:
1. Charleston, WV
2. St. Louis, MO
3. Las Vegas, NV
4. St. Petersburg, FL
5. Birmingham, AL
6. Memphis, TN
7. Bakersfield, CA
8. Riverside, CA
9. Jacksonville, FL
10. Detroit, MI

http://www.menshealth.com/metrogrades/09-jan-feb/best-worst.html

[Jason]

St. Pete!  I guess that means if you're a guy in St. Pete then your on your way out. 

[copperfiend]

No surprise. So many in this city enjoy a steady diet of takeout chinese food, fried chicken, cheeseburgers and pizza. Have you seen what kids get served at school? It's disgusting.

[Doctor_K]

^
And the crap getting served in schools is only the beginning.  I could spend a whole thread on that issue.

But I digress. 

Once the kids get fed the slop at school, they eat the take-out slop that their parents buy for them because they don't have the time or the desire to cook something more healthy for the family. 

Then the kids don't go outside and play and get exercise, because they have a Wii, XBox, and PS3.  The ones their parents bought for them.  To entertain them.

Then they grow up to be obese young adults.  Who have kids.  And it starts anew.

I blame the parents.

[wwanderlust]

^
And the crap getting served in schools is only the beginning.  I could spend a whole thread on that issue.

But I digress. 

Once the kids get fed the slop at school, they eat the take-out slop that their parents buy for them because they don't have the time or the desire to cook something more healthy for the family. 

Then the kids don't go outside and play and get exercise, because they have a Wii, XBox, and PS3.  The ones their parents bought for them.  To entertain them.

Then they grow up to be obese young adults.  Who have kids.  And it starts anew.

I blame the parents.

Here, here.

[Shwaz]

This list is silly

So I'm supposed to believe Madison WI & St Paul MN, where people are forced to spend 6 months of the year indoors (because if you go outside you might die) is better for your health then sunny warm Jax FL.

I was trail biking in Ft. Clinch day after Xmas not on my couch bundled up painting pictures of mallards and riddled with cabin fever.

[BridgeTroll]

Nobody stays indoors during the winter in those places... There is too much to do!  Downhill Skiing, x country skiing, sledding, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, ice fishing.  Staying warm burns calories!

[BridgeTroll]

Forgot ice skating...

http://www.thedailypage.com/daily/article.php?article=21484

[Shwaz]

I don't anyone who does those activities at -20 degrees.

I was plenty warm during the holidays right here in Jax... wearing shorts.

[brainstormer]

I used to live in Madison, WI and trust me, the people there are way more fit and healthy than here.  In fact I'm more out of shape living here than I was up there.  During spring, summer and fall the running and rollerblading trails are jam packed.  During the winter, people do all kinds of outdoor sports and many still run in cold weather, at least down to about 0.  Students at UW bike and walk everywhere and it isn't uncommon to encounter households that only have one car with one or more family members who bike or walk/run to work.  Madison has invested a lot of money in bike paths/trails all over the city and people use them.  When I lived on the outskirts of the city I used to bike into downtown (about 9 miles) hang out at the lake with friends and then bike home.  And there they actually build bike lanes next to car lanes.  Jacksonville has what?  Eighth avenue and Hendricks with bike lanes?  Come on.  Jacksonville has earned its crappy rating.  Please don't defend this city.  I will say that people who live near Jax Beach are probably a bit more healthy because many depend less on cars.  The rest of the city was built for cars and continues to build more and more roads and it shows.  Look at how many subdivisions here don't even have sidewalks!  I could go on and on, but I'll save you the rest of my rant.

[ProjectMaximus]

I didn't check out the links yet, but I'll assume that these cities are the unhealthiest cities in america (Though it was Huntington and not Charleston that got that official distinction from the CDC this year).

And if that is the case, it means something very different from a list of best cities to stay healthy...Just because many people around me are overweight or inactive doesn't mean it has any effect on me and my own health. As long as there are gyms I can go to, places to obtain good food, and weather that is conducive to outdoor activity, I'm gonna be just fine.

My two cents.

[ProjectMaximus]

I'll add...my comment wasnt to say that all places are equal. Some are more conducive to a healthier lifestyle, I think particularly walkable cities that more or less require you to use your feet to get around and good economic regions that allow you to live healthier...

but still...the healthiest populations list is a different barometer than the best places to live healthy lives.

[Coolyfett]

No surprise. So many in this city enjoy a steady diet of takeout chinese food, fried chicken, cheeseburgers and pizza.

Is that not everywhere?

[uptowngirl]

If you are in MN, WI, you are out and about in -20 degrees. It is a much more active lifestyle up there. How will people in Jacksonville get out and walk more when we put a bus stop every two blocks for them, provide no sidewalks or cracked and broken up sidewalks, or surround them with homeless people where they want to walk (river walk) where they can be attacked physically or harassed for money, or have drinks and pennies thrown at you from cars...why should they walk? There is a lot the city, JSO, and the neighborhoods could do to promote a better, healthier lifestyle. Many cities and states have taken the steps to do so (zoning out fast food drive thrus and creating safe clean walking routes, adding bike lanes, and ticketing jerks who try to hit bikers and pedestrians or throw trash anywhere and everywhere. Of course in Springfield you have the whole termite issue, a swarm could kill you....for some reason I guess they are only here, not San Marco or Riverside, or anywhere else in Jacksonville 

[Shwaz]

Please don't defend this city.

Absurd

So you were cross country skiing and roller blading everday up in WI then moved to theis blackhole of exsersize & diet and became a slob?

I need more than the "just is" excuse on why it's more condusive for healthy living.

WI = cross country skiing
JAX = Street biking
WI = ice skating
JAX = roller blading
WI = Snow boarding
JAX = Surfing

The side walks are cracked? Theirs bums? Sounds like something that mace on your key chain and good pair of Nike's would fix.