Large US metro cities happier, healthier

By Esra Kaymak Avci

WASHINGTON (AA) – Americans living in the five highest-ranked active communities are the happiest and healthiest residents across the country, according to a new Gallup and Healthways survey published Tuesday.

According to the findings based on almost 150,000 interviews conducted between January 2014 through December 2015, Boston, Washington DC, Chicago, New York and San Francisco had lower rates of obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and depression, than residents in less crowded cities.

"They also report better exercise habits and lower levels of smoking," the survey says.

The healthier and happier findings are attributed to a lot of sidewalks, parks and good public transportation in those cities, according to the study.

The Gallup-Healthways research team analyzed 48 communities and found that the infrastructures of the top five cities support active living with "walkability, bike-ability, transit infrastructure and park infrastructure".

A number of cities in the states of Indiana, Oklahoma and North Carolina cities ranked among the worst for active living communities, according to the survey.