Kansas City is struggling to get a chin-up on fitness
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Downtown Kansas City. Photo: Travis Meier/Axios
Kansas City ranks No. 82 out of the nation's 100 largest cities in the latest American College of Sports Medicine Fitness Index.
Why it matters: The index measures more than who's hitting the gym. It factors in basic exercise, nutrition, health outcomes and the environments that make healthy living easier — or harder.
By the numbers: Roughly 22% of Kansas Citians reported eating at least two fruits a day, and about 9% said they ate at least three vegetables.
- A little more than half said they meet aerobic activity guidelines, while the city's walk and bike scores trailed the average by double digits.
- Nearly 13% of respondents said they smoke. KC's health department says it's more like 22%.
- Poor mental and physical health rates — including heart disease, stroke, asthma and obesity — are all higher than average.
Between the lines: The report found that food insecurity and fewer opportunities to incorporate exercise into daily life contribute to poor fitness.
- KC's latest Community Health Improvement Plan found 34% of residents say they never exercise in their free time, including walking.
What they're saying: "Many people have to drive miles from home to find a place to walk, run, or bike," Amy Scrivner with Bike Walk KC tells Axios.
- Lauren Harness, who headed KC Designs Center's recent work on the Greenline project downtown, says "most neighborhoods ranked pedestrian safety as a top priority," so people can feel comfortable moving their bodies to get places.
- "The healthiest cities don't just encourage exercise — they make movement part of daily life," Fitness Index chair Stell Volpe said in a statement.
Zoom in: Daily running clubs throughout KC provide a low-barrier way to socialize while getting your steps in, and farmers' markets often yield cheaper produce than grocery stores.
Travis' thought bubble: KC may have some healthy fast-casual spots, but the closest Sweetgreen is in Northwest Arkansas, and I think that says a lot.
- And no, cheesy corn does not count as a vegetable.
What's next: KC health policy and planning officer Kat Stark tells Axios the CHIP's priority is chronic disease prevention, which aims to tackle poor diet, physical inactivity and tobacco use.