Austin ranks near top on health and fitness survey ? Melissa Webb ...

Austin is ranked No. 10 out of 50 markets in a recent health and fitness survey.

The American College of Sports Medicine?s annual American Fitness Index ranked Minneapolis-St. Paul No. 1, followed by Washington, D.C., Boston, San Francisco and Hartford, Conn.

Austin ranks high for overall healthThe American Fitness Index data report reflects a composite of preventive health behaviors, levels of chronic disease conditions, health care access and community resources and policies that support physical activity, according to a news release.

Austin?s high ranking was attributed to a low rate of diabetes and heart disease, more acres of parkland, farmers? markets and dog parks per capita and a higher level of state requirements for physical education classes.

The study said Austin can improve on the lower percent of those using public transportation to work and the low number of primary health care providers per capita.

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