Memphis Residents Are Most Sedentary in America

In 2007 Memphis, Tennessee, was rated the most sedentary city in the United States by Forbes. Memphis came out on top of the 50 largest metropolitan areas in America based on factors body mass index (BMI), lack of physical activity, and TV viewing habits.

As a Memphis resident it is obvious why we received and deserved this sad achievement. It is also obvious what we can do to change this problem in our city.

According to Forbes, Memphis won the top spot because we scored high in all the categories: 65% of Memphians are overweight or obese, and 30% do not exercise on a regular basis. We also love to watch TV. In fact we watch 11 hours per week more than the national average of 30.

We also live in a city defined by sprawl that discourages an active lifestyle. It is almost impossible to ride a bike to work in Memphis, unless of course you enjoy teasing death. Many neighborhoods are unwalkable. Living an active lifestyle in Memphis is difficult.

Adding Southern food to this creates an epidemic of obesity that is ravaging our city. It will be hard to combat delicious Southern cuisine and a city built against activity, but Memphis can change its ways.

Already organizations like Smart City are attempting to increase city funding for outdoor recreation and parks. By increasing the number of parks in the city the groups hope to encourage physical activity among citizens. Other options to combat the sedentary lifestyle of Memphis residents includes creating a more mobile city by improving sidewalks and creating bike lanes throughout the city.

Memphis is not the only city in Tennessee on the list. Nashville placed in the top ten, rating as the ninth most sedentary city in the United States. With those statistics it could be said that Tennessee is the most sedentary state. Any look around at the people living in Tennessee will confirm this. Our sedentary ways show on our overweight and obese bodies.

This is not only true of Memphis, but the entire country. The Centers for Disease Control reports obesity is associated with 112,000 deaths each year in the U.S. Our entire country has become sedentary and is at risk for the many chronic illnesses associated with obesity.

Memphis faces a long task ahead if we are to reform our sedentary ways, but it must be done if we are to save our city.