AHN Staff
Washington, D.C. (AHN) - The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention named Burlington City in Vermont the healthiest in the country with 92 percent of its population enjoying good health.
Vermont's largest city also topped the list of states with best exercise rates and lowest in obesity, diabetes and other chronic ailments.
On the opposite end is Huntington City in West Virginia, which was declared unhealthiest city in the U.S. Ironically, aside from being in the top or bottom of the list, both cities have similarities such as both being college towns with populations made up predominantly of whites of English, German or Irish descent.
But Burlington has a younger population with an average age of 37, is wealthier with only 8 percent of its people living below federal poverty level and better educated with 40 percent of the residents with a college degree.
Burlington got high marks in health because of the culture of exercising in the city, particularly biking, hiking, skiing and other sports.
In contrast, majority of Huntington residents are concerned more with economic issues, which caused them to set aside health concerns. Huntington Mayor David Felinton really represents city residents, majority of whom are obese. Felinton stands 5-foot-9 and weighs 233 pounds.
The city has less than 50,000 residents, but majority of them have chronic ailments. A significant number of them are getting heart attacks as early as their 30s.
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