This story originally appeared on RetailMeNot.
Despite a growing interest in health awareness, COVID-19 led to a sharp, immediate decline in physical activity among U.S. adults as gyms closed and residents increasingly stayed home.
A recent study by the Annals of Internal Medicine using fitness trackers found that average daily step counts were down 15% in the United States within two weeks of COVID-19 being declared a pandemic.
Globally, the average number of steps taken per day decreased by 27.3% within a month. As Americans settle into the new normal of COVID-19, residents living in areas with convenient outdoor access, and who embrace new at-home fitness technologies, are more likely to maintain high levels of activity in the months ahead.
In addition to the long-term benefits of regular physical activity such as weight management and reduced health risks, physical activity produces immediate benefits to one’s brain health. Adults can experience reduced short-term feelings of anxiety, and children benefit from improved thinking and cognition.
Physical activity also lowers the risk of childhood obesity, which, according to the CDC, is related to depression, low self-esteem, and stigma in addition to high blood pressure, respiratory issues, diabetes, and other health problems.
Researchers at RetailMeNot analyzed recent CDC data to find the most physically active cities in the United States. Apparent in their findings was a strong correlation between physical activity among adults and both physical and mental health.
To improve relevance, only cities with at least 100,000 residents were included in the analysis. Following are the most physically active large cities in the United States.
15. Austin, Texas
- Percentage of adults who are physically active: 77.3%
- Percentage of adults in good physical health: 90.7%
- Percentage of adults in good mental health: 87.6%
- Median household income: $75,413
- Poverty rate: 12.2%
14. Aurora, Colorado
- Percentage of adults who are physically active: 77.5%
- Percentage of adults in good physical health: 88.6%
- Percentage of adults in good mental health: 87.0%
- Median household income: $69,235
- Poverty rate: 9.4%
13. Los Angeles
- Percentage of adults who are physically active: 77.6%
- Percentage of adults in good physical health: 87.7%
- Percentage of adults in good mental health: 86.8%
- Median household income: $67,418
- Poverty rate: 16.7%
12. Anaheim, California
- Percentage of adults who are physically active: 77.8%
- Percentage of adults in good physical health: 88.2%
- Percentage of adults in good mental health: 87.0%
- Median household income: $76,075
- Poverty rate: 12.6%
11. Albuquerque, New Mexico
- Percentage of adults who are physically active: 77.9%
- Percentage of adults in good physical health: 86.8%
- Percentage of adults in good mental health: 85.7%
- Median household income: $55,567
- Poverty rate: 16.0%
10. Raleigh, North Carolina
- Percentage of adults who are physically active: 78.4%
- Percentage of adults in good physical health: 89.8%
- Percentage of adults in good mental health: 87.6%
- Median household income: $69,333
- Poverty rate: 10.9%
9. Long Beach, California
- Percentage of adults who are physically active: 78.5%
- Percentage of adults in good physical health: 88.1%
- Percentage of adults in good mental health: 86.9%
- Median household income: $67,804
- Poverty rate: 14.7%
8. Oakland, California
- Percentage of adults who are physically active: 78.7%
- Percentage of adults in good physical health: 88.2%
- Percentage of adults in good mental health: 87.4%
- Median household income: $82,018
- Poverty rate: 13.9%
7. Colorado Springs, Colorado
- Percentage of adults who are physically active: 79.7%
- Percentage of adults in good physical health: 89.3%
- Percentage of adults in good mental health: 87.2%
- Median household income: $70,527
- Poverty rate: 9.3%
6. Denver
- Percentage of adults who are physically active: 81.0%
- Percentage of adults in good physical health: 89.8%
- Percentage of adults in good mental health: 88.3%
- Median household income: $75,646
- Poverty rate: 11.7%
5. San Jose, California
- Percentage of adults who are physically active: 81.4%
- Percentage of adults in good physical health: 90.1%
- Percentage of adults in good mental health: 89.4%
- Median household income: $115,893
- Poverty rate: 7.1%
4. Portland, Oregon
- Percentage of adults who are physically active: 81.6%
- Percentage of adults in good physical health: 89.1%
- Percentage of adults in good mental health: 86.0%
- Median household income: $76,231
- Poverty rate: 12.3%
3. San Diego
- Percentage of adults who are physically active: 81.9%
- Percentage of adults in good physical health: 89.6%
- Percentage of adults in good mental health: 88.4%
- Median household income: $85,507
- Poverty rate: 11.0%
2. San Francisco
- Percentage of adults who are physically active: 83.3%
- Percentage of adults in good physical health: 90.7%
- Percentage of adults in good mental health: 89.8%
- Median household income: $123,859
- Poverty rate: 9.5%
1. Seattle
- Percentage of adults who are physically active: 85.7%
- Percentage of adults in good physical health: 91.1%
- Percentage of adults in good mental health: 88.5%
- Median household income: $102,486
- Poverty rate: 9.8%
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