Welcome to Fat City (Indianapolis: insurance, how much, neighborhoods)

[missik999]

Indianapolis has earned high rankings on some recent studies and surveys.

Fast Food Restaurants: Indy has more fast food restaurants than all but two of the 50 largest cities in the country. Indianapolis has 76 fast food restaurants for every 100,000 residents.

Inactivity: Indy ranked 99 out of 100 for the most inactive cities in the country. Only Lexington beat Indy for the title of Most Inactive City.

Indianapolis also ranked on the Most Obese list, with an obesity rate of 27.2

Indianapolis ranked #4 on the list for smokers. Factors considered were highest percentage of smokers, most cigarettes per day, and fewest attempts to quit.

Mayor Ballard needs to issue a fitness challenge. Mayors of other cities have taken on an active role in promoting fitness, improving eating habits, increasing muscular strength and reducing body fat. The results have been numerous, including a sense of pride in the community.

[sweetana3]

The only thing you can do is work on your own health.

[Broadrippleguy]

Originally Posted by sweetana3

The only thing you can do is work on your own health.

Thank you.
Worry about your health and youll be fine.
Indianapolis has plenty of trails and is building bicycle paths and so on.
So if your fat thats your problem not Indy's.

[missik999]

Originally Posted by sweetana3

The only thing you can do is work on your own health.

Of course that is true. But a shift in culture to a healthier mindset would be beneficial. Until that happens Indy will lag far behind other cities as far as healthier restaurant choices, bike trails, fitness initiatives, recycling, etc.

[indy_317]

Originally Posted by missik999

Inactivity: Indy ranked 99 out of 100 for the most inactive cities in the country. Only Lexington beat Indy for the title of Most Inactive City.

I think you will see a shift after the babyboomers die-off. Many of them have the old school Indiana mindset. That mindset was one where government took care of your education from K-12, then a union took care of getting one a more than livable wage. Once people realize that you are really on your own in this country, from education to career to healthcare, more people will wake up. Of course if obesity is such a serious problem, then we could limit the consumption of alcoholic beverages outside the home. If we can do it for smoking under the umbrella of "health," then there is no reason not to do this with alcohol. It will also help reduce drunk driving. Of course we need all that tax income, so it won't happen, and thousands will continue to consume massive amounts of unneeded calories while out at a bar or club.

Clearly having trails and a good park system won't matter. The statistic above about Lexington is telling in this aspect. Lexington is basically 30-60 mins. drive from some really nice park/outdoor recreation areas with the Daniel Boone Nat'l. Forest to the east. If a place such as the DBNF can't draw people outdoors, I don't know what will.

[rrah]

While I agree that living a healthy lifestyle is a personal choice one makes or does not make, it does have an effect on all of us economically.

This recent study shows the costs of a fat society: How Much Does It Cost to Be Fat? | Money Talks News

Given that information, if I were a business looking to relocate to Indiana, I would certainly consider the costs of employees in a "fat" state versus a "non-fat" state.

[thefallensrvnge]

It's all those damn White Castles lol. I've never seen so many in my life...

Honestly, Indy seems to be putting forth some effort to get people walking with canal and new bike trail. However, I'm sure more could be done. I also see recycling bins on a couple of corners in the city, but damned if anybody uses them.

[Valker]

I don't see nothing wrong with talking about our countries health issues; obesity is unnatural. Of course we will just stand by and let the health care and insurance system go on a shopping spree.

Originally Posted by Broadrippleguy

Thank you.
Worry about your health and youll be fine.
Indianapolis has plenty of trails and is building bicycle paths and so on.
So if your fat thats your problem not Indy's.

Not really, but most cities don't. A bicycle path alongside a busy stretch of street isn't exactly safe. These new neighborhoods are so small and people drive through theme too fast.. its hard to find a place to run.

[missik999]

Originally Posted by Valker

Not really, but most cities don't. A bicycle path alongside a busy stretch of street isn't exactly safe. These new neighborhoods are so small and people drive through theme too fast.. its hard to find a place to run.

In downtown Indy the bike paths are in the middle of the street, not even alongside the road.

[BU191433]

Is there a link or documentation for those stats