Forbes List: Most Obese Cities in America

Obesity is an epidemic that affects people from all walks or life. According to researchers, causes of obesity include a diet high in calories and fat, diet low in nutrients, lack of exercise and bad habits.

Forbes Magazine has recently compiled a list of America's most obese cities, using 2006 data from the Centers for disease Control and Prevention's Behavioral Risk Facto Surveillance System. Researchers collected data about participants height and weight and calculated their BMI (Body Mass Index). Individuals with a BMI of 30 or higher are considered obese. About 32% of the United States is considered obese. Memphis, Tennessee topped the list of obese cities.

Data was collected only for the country's 50 most populated cities. Smaller towns and outlying areas were not included. There ware a noticeable correlation between low poverty rates and obesity. Cities with a large percentage of people living below the poverty line also had a high percentage of obesity.

Obesity is expensive. Cost associated to obesity add $93 billion to the medical bills in America. Every year 112,000 people die from causes related to obesity. Obesity causes increased risk of chronic diseases, such as Type 2 diabetes, cancer and heart disease.

Some cities are looking for ways to promote healthier lifestyles by encouraging citizens to exercise and make dietary changes.

Following are the top 20 most obese cities in America, as per Forbes Magazine.

Memphis, Tennessee: 34% obese. Causes of the high rate of obesity include high rats of poverty, Southern hospitality and Southern cooking featuring fried foods.

Birmingham, Alabama: 31.3% obese. A local non-profit organization called Jones Valley Urban Farm promotes healthy eating habits with community gardening plots.

San Antonio Texas: 31.3% obese. Calorie rich Tex-Mex cuisine is a factor in the high obesity rate. City officials are exploring solutions, with. The National League of Cities will provide San Antonio, along with five other cities, with experts versed in healthy eating and active living.

Riverside/San Bernardino, California: 30.8% obese. Riverside is located about an hour east of Los Angeles, an area dependent upon car transportation. The percentage of people neglecting exercise is at 30%.

Detroit, Michigan: 30.4% obese. Detroit is an urban area where healthy , fresh foods are less available. 33% of the residents live below the poverty line. Michigan was recently ran the ninth heaviest state in the nation by Trust for America's Health, a research group. Michigan promotes healthy living through "Step Up Michigan," a healthy living initiative.

Jacksonville, Florida: 29.8% obese. Jacksonville has a humid climate, which may drive residents indoors. A public health initiative initiative called Healthy Jacksonville promotes a community wide fitness and health challenge for residents.

Nashville, Tennessee: 28.8% obese.

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma: 27.5% obese. Oklahoma City has passed a bond measure to build gyms at 47 inner city schools and increasing the number of bide paths.

Kansas City, Missouri: 26.9% obese.

San Diego, California: 26.7% obese. San Diego has a high percentage of Hispanics, which have a higher rate of obesity than non-Hispanic whites. Poor neighborhoods have limited access for fresh fruit and vegetables.

Cincinnati, Ohio: 26.3% obese. Cincinnati is considering a ban on trans fats in restaurants.

Indianapolis, Indiana: 26% obese. The home of the Indy 500 has long been considered a driver city. City planners continue to bide and promote greenways and bike paths to encourage physical activity.

Baltimore, Maryland: 25.8%. Poverty, safety and food access issues are credited with contributing to obesity.

New Orleans, Louisiana; 25.8%. New Orleans is famous for love of food, much of it deep fried.

Virginia Beach, Virginia: 25.8% obese.

Atlanta, Georgia: 25.6% obese. Atlanta is a city centered around driving. Residents commute an average of 35 miles per day by car.

Milwaukee, Wisconsin: 25.4% obese. 26.2% of individuals live below the poverty line, with limited access to healthy food.

Richmond, Virginia: 25.4% obese.

Austin, Texas: 24.9% obese.

Las Vegas, Nevada: 24.9% obese.

The complete article is in Forbes Magazine.