Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Here's Colorado's morning news Marty lens Ginagondek. In morning, the
(00:02):
American College of Sports Medicine is out with its list
of the nation's fittest cities, and Denver has reasons to
celebrate being ranked at number five.
Speaker 2 (00:09):
But every city still has room for improvement, as the
American Fitness Index looks at thirty five factors and some
indicators going in an unhealthy direction. Joining us now on
the KWA Common Spirit Health Hotline as fellow immediate past
President of the American College of Sports Medicine and Chair
of the American Fitness Index Advisory Board, it's doctor Stella Volt.
(00:29):
Doctor Volt, thank you so much for your time this morning.
Speaker 3 (00:32):
Oh thank you so much for having me before.
Speaker 2 (00:35):
We look a little bit at Denver's rankings being in
the top five. What are some of the biggest takeaways
in this eighteenth annual American Fitness Index. Some of the
indicators that did move maybe in the wrong direction this year.
Speaker 3 (00:47):
Absolutely so. First of all, congratulations again to Arlington for
being number one for the eighth year and Denver for
being still up there in the top five, So kudos
to you all. Some of the things that went down,
there were two days that went down, we saw an
increase in air quality pardon me, a decrease in air quality,
and that likely was due to some of the fires
(01:09):
that we had in Canada and in the US. And
the other thing that was very upsetting was an increase
in food insecurity. So those were the two big negative takeaways,
if you will, doctor, I.
Speaker 1 (01:22):
Have one gripe with the poll. Denver would technically be
number four because Arlington, Virginia is a suburb of d C.
So how do they how do you separate that out?
I know you're a doctor, maybe you're not somebody a demographer,
but that doesn't make a lot of sense to me.
But we'll set that. We'll set that aside. So tell
your people that, because it's like that'd be like saying
when you talk about cities and you're anyways, I'll stop there.
(01:44):
What is what are some of the things that the
healthy cities maybe all have in common? Are there similarities
and things that you see that a DC has with Denver,
with San Francisco that you point to and say, that's
what they have in common for being on this list?
Speaker 3 (01:58):
Absolutely, I mean, and it's some of the things. Well,
one is resources, and that's a big thing, right that
there are resources, but also the commitment to use those
resources to help improve the fitness levels and the health
of the citizens of those cities. And then the other
one is to maintain those wonderful facilities, the trails, the
(02:20):
access to parks, the easy ability to walk even you know,
I always say this that even when you're if you're
going to walk to go to dinner or coffee, you
have the ability to do that in those cities more
so than in other cities.
Speaker 2 (02:33):
So when it came to the negative takeaways, we talk
about a decrease in air quality and an increase in
food security insecurity. What about some of the positive takeaways
that we saw. What were some of the improvements in
the one hundred largest cities on the list.
Speaker 3 (02:46):
Yeah, I mean some of the improvements we saw we
added We added trails and actually splash pads to this
and pickleball and tennis courts to this. Indicators this year
we saw that you know, the number of trails that
people that cities have rather are are excellent and in
some of the cities, for example, Washington, d C. At
(03:09):
the highest number of trails. We also found that health indicators,
so people maintaining their biking and walking. They were maintained
and they did not go down, and so that's an
excellent thing too. We still need them to increase in
every city, but the fact that they were maintained is
an excellent thing and something that we should applaud.
Speaker 1 (03:30):
Doctor, do you as a nation overall, when you see
a survey like this, are we as a country moving
in the right direction when it comes to health? Are
we better about some of the habits that we have?
Speaker 3 (03:42):
That is such a good question and a difficult one
to answer, but I would say that in general, I
think we are moving in the right direction. But something
that I always emphasize is, you know, only about a
quarter of our population is physically active on a daily basis.
That needle still needs to move up and people. Another
(04:04):
message I like to bring across is exercise is medicine.
But we don't have to think about it that we
have to run five miles every day. Little bits of
physical activity every day are really helpful for our health.
So if we can as a nation think that way
as opposed to an all or none mentality, I think
even we'll move. We should see the needle moving better
(04:27):
each year as we evaluate cities in this American Fitness Index,
and when.
Speaker 2 (04:32):
We look at Denver specifically now being at number five
on the list, I assume we do pretty well when
it comes to being active and exercising, because we know
the city is very active. But what were some of
the things on the list that really put Denver so
high on top?
Speaker 3 (04:49):
You know, Denver has always been a model city and
so and I think you all know that and should
be proud of that, whether it's number five or number one.
One of the biggest things that Denver has, of course,
is you have wonderful trails systems, and you also have
a mentality in your city that activity is a good
thing and activity begets activity, So more people walking, more
(05:09):
people biking, more of you just do that, and it's
part of your DNA to do that. But the fact
that you have the trails, you have the great walking facilities,
you have great access to parks, and the facilities are maintained.
All of that for you all is you know, puts
you right up there. And of course it's a beautiful place,
(05:31):
right so we know that it's and your weather is
generally wonderful, so that also helps with your rankings.
Speaker 1 (05:39):
Do we have an advantage because we burn more calories
at altitude too, or is that a myth?
Speaker 3 (05:44):
No, you actually do have an advantage. Of course, over time,
you know, your body becomes accustomed to them. But nonetheless,
I'm going to give you that.
Speaker 2 (05:50):
I like that, Doctor Rolbin wrapping up with you. What
do you do with this report going forward? What do
you hope city leaders really take away from it and
take with that it's moving forward.
Speaker 3 (06:02):
Yeah, every year when we when we put this out,
we really do hope that every city, no matter where
they've rank, that their their city council and the citizens
of the city say, hey, listen, what could we do
to make our city better? And even if the resources
aren't there, but if they can, you know, some things
can be so simple like cleaning up an area or
(06:25):
making an overgrown trail, you know, having the citizens clean
it up and you know, giving that to the city
back to the city so the citizens can use it.
Minor things can make a big difference to increase physical
activity for cities, and I hope that cities can take
that away and even those with less resources, if smaller
(06:46):
things can make a big difference.
Speaker 1 (06:48):
President of the American College of Sports medicine Chair of
the American Fitness Index Advisory Board, Doctor Stella Bolt. Thanks doctor, thank.
Speaker 3 (06:56):
You so much for having me. You have a great day.
Here's Colorado's morning news Marty lens Ginagondek. In morning, the
(00:02):
American College of Sports Medicine is out with its list
of the nation's fittest cities, and Denver has reasons to
celebrate being ranked at number five.
Speaker 2 (00:09):
But every city still has room for improvement, as the
American Fitness Index looks at thirty five factors and some
indicators going in an unhealthy direction. Joining us now on
the KWA Common Spirit Health Hotline as fellow immediate past
President of the American College of Sports Medicine and Chair
of the American Fitness Index Advisory Board, it's doctor Stella Volt.
(00:29):
Doctor Volt, thank you so much for your time this morning.
Speaker 3 (00:32):
Oh thank you so much for having me before.
Speaker 2 (00:35):
We look a little bit at Denver's rankings being in
the top five. What are some of the biggest takeaways
in this eighteenth annual American Fitness Index. Some of the
indicators that did move maybe in the wrong direction this year.
Speaker 3 (00:47):
Absolutely so. First of all, congratulations again to Arlington for
being number one for the eighth year and Denver for
being still up there in the top five, So kudos
to you all. Some of the things that went down,
there were two days that went down, we saw an
increase in air quality pardon me, a decrease in air quality,
and that likely was due to some of the fires
(01:09):
that we had in Canada and in the US. And
the other thing that was very upsetting was an increase
in food insecurity. So those were the two big negative takeaways,
if you will, doctor, I.
Speaker 1 (01:22):
Have one gripe with the poll. Denver would technically be
number four because Arlington, Virginia is a suburb of d C.
So how do they how do you separate that out?
I know you're a doctor, maybe you're not somebody a demographer,
but that doesn't make a lot of sense to me.
But we'll set that. We'll set that aside. So tell
your people that, because it's like that'd be like saying
when you talk about cities and you're anyways, I'll stop there.
(01:44):
What is what are some of the things that the
healthy cities maybe all have in common? Are there similarities
and things that you see that a DC has with Denver,
with San Francisco that you point to and say, that's
what they have in common for being on this list?
Speaker 3 (01:58):
Absolutely, I mean, and it's some of the things. Well,
one is resources, and that's a big thing, right that
there are resources, but also the commitment to use those
resources to help improve the fitness levels and the health
of the citizens of those cities. And then the other
one is to maintain those wonderful facilities, the trails, the
(02:20):
access to parks, the easy ability to walk even you know,
I always say this that even when you're if you're
going to walk to go to dinner or coffee, you
have the ability to do that in those cities more
so than in other cities.
Speaker 2 (02:33):
So when it came to the negative takeaways, we talk
about a decrease in air quality and an increase in
food security insecurity. What about some of the positive takeaways
that we saw. What were some of the improvements in
the one hundred largest cities on the list.
Speaker 3 (02:46):
Yeah, I mean some of the improvements we saw we
added We added trails and actually splash pads to this
and pickleball and tennis courts to this. Indicators this year
we saw that you know, the number of trails that
people that cities have rather are are excellent and in
some of the cities, for example, Washington, d C. At
(03:09):
the highest number of trails. We also found that health indicators,
so people maintaining their biking and walking. They were maintained
and they did not go down, and so that's an
excellent thing too. We still need them to increase in
every city, but the fact that they were maintained is
an excellent thing and something that we should applaud.
Speaker 1 (03:30):
Doctor, do you as a nation overall, when you see
a survey like this, are we as a country moving
in the right direction when it comes to health? Are
we better about some of the habits that we have?
Speaker 3 (03:42):
That is such a good question and a difficult one
to answer, but I would say that in general, I
think we are moving in the right direction. But something
that I always emphasize is, you know, only about a
quarter of our population is physically active on a daily basis.
That needle still needs to move up and people. Another
(04:04):
message I like to bring across is exercise is medicine.
But we don't have to think about it that we
have to run five miles every day. Little bits of
physical activity every day are really helpful for our health.
So if we can as a nation think that way
as opposed to an all or none mentality, I think
even we'll move. We should see the needle moving better
(04:27):
each year as we evaluate cities in this American Fitness Index,
and when.
Speaker 2 (04:32):
We look at Denver specifically now being at number five
on the list, I assume we do pretty well when
it comes to being active and exercising, because we know
the city is very active. But what were some of
the things on the list that really put Denver so
high on top?
Speaker 3 (04:49):
You know, Denver has always been a model city and
so and I think you all know that and should
be proud of that, whether it's number five or number one.
One of the biggest things that Denver has, of course,
is you have wonderful trails systems, and you also have
a mentality in your city that activity is a good
thing and activity begets activity, So more people walking, more
(05:09):
people biking, more of you just do that, and it's
part of your DNA to do that. But the fact
that you have the trails, you have the great walking facilities,
you have great access to parks, and the facilities are maintained.
All of that for you all is you know, puts
you right up there. And of course it's a beautiful place,
(05:31):
right so we know that it's and your weather is
generally wonderful, so that also helps with your rankings.
Speaker 1 (05:39):
Do we have an advantage because we burn more calories
at altitude too, or is that a myth?
Speaker 3 (05:44):
No, you actually do have an advantage. Of course, over time,
you know, your body becomes accustomed to them. But nonetheless,
I'm going to give you that.
Speaker 2 (05:50):
I like that, Doctor Rolbin wrapping up with you. What
do you do with this report going forward? What do
you hope city leaders really take away from it and
take with that it's moving forward.
Speaker 3 (06:02):
Yeah, every year when we when we put this out,
we really do hope that every city, no matter where
they've rank, that their their city council and the citizens
of the city say, hey, listen, what could we do
to make our city better? And even if the resources
aren't there, but if they can, you know, some things
can be so simple like cleaning up an area or
(06:25):
making an overgrown trail, you know, having the citizens clean
it up and you know, giving that to the city
back to the city so the citizens can use it.
Minor things can make a big difference to increase physical
activity for cities, and I hope that cities can take
that away and even those with less resources, if smaller
(06:46):
things can make a big difference.
Speaker 1 (06:48):
President of the American College of Sports medicine Chair of
the American Fitness Index Advisory Board, Doctor Stella Bolt. Thanks doctor, thank.
Speaker 3 (06:56):
You so much for having me. You have a great day.
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