After three years at the top of Men’s Fitness list of “fattest cities” in America, Clutch City dropped from first to second in the 2004 list. Detroit, with its colder climate and jump in television viewing, moved to the top spot.
The end-of-the year news brought a sense of pride to civic leaders, who credited the accomplishment to initiatives created under Mayor Lee Brown’s Get Lean Houston program and the work of fitness czar and former Mr. Universe Lee Labrada. Labrada, who was criticized for using the city’s fitness Web site to sell his supplements, has a 28-inch waist and 6 percent body fat.
“This is one championship title I don’t mind giving up to another city,” said City Councilwoman Carol Alvarado. “Congratulations, Detroit.”
Hot dog! What could be better than that?
Dallas ballooned from last year’s ninth fattest city to third; San Antonio went from 13th place to fourth; and Fort Worth jumped from being ranked 16th to sixth. Perhaps the folks in Texas are just big boned.
I think I speak for all of Houston when I say that this is one ranking where we won’t mind being behind Dallas. Go ahead, y’all, have seconds. You deserve it.
With all of the losing Detroit has to suffer through (Tigers and Lions), it’s nice to see them win a title every once in a while. This is one championship, however, where I don’t think you’ll have the typical celebratory riot. 😉
I’m guessing that Men’s Fitness only look at large metropolitan areas for this survey. Without naming names, I know at least one medium size city in upstate New York that has makes Detroit look like a Weight Watchers convention. 😉
Does having Karl Malone on the cover mean Los Angeles has stolen the thinnest-city title from Denver? If so, it’s a hollow victory: They’re just dieting; we do it by working out.
Er, “hot dog?”