The tale of two cities: New Orleans (top) is rated least healthy city while San Diego (bottom) is ranked most healthy

February 16, 1999
Web posted at: 5:11 p.m. EST (2211 GMT)

From Correspondent Eileen O'Connor

SAN DIEGO (CNN) -- Plenty of exercise and a low-fat diet have made San Diego the city with the most fit population in the country, according to a men's magazine survey.

New Orleans, meanwhile, trailed the pack. The survey by Men's Fitness magazine found the Crescent City the least healthy venue on its list.

"I have a girlfriend that moved out here from New Orleans, and she has actually lost about 30 pounds since she's been here," one San Diego woman said.

In addition to Californians' tendencies toward healthier foods, San Diego's temperate climate offers more opportunities to have fun while getting some exercise, residents say.

"We have such great weather that people can be out and exercise all the time," another San Diegan said. "It's not a chore to exercise in beautiful weather."

New Orleans' reputation as a party town and a food lover's Nirvana means its spot in the Men's Fitness basement is most likely no surprise. But Dr. Jimmy Guidry, Louisiana's state health officer, says more than bourbon and crawfish etoufée are responsible for the city's poor showing.

"There are a lot of poor people there that are not able to take care of themselves like they should from a health perspective," Guidry said. "When you remove poverty and look at the health issues, New Orleans is not much higher than the national average."

Poverty may be hard to overcome. But for others, the issue isn't so much one of needs as wants.

"San Diego's a great place," one Louisiana man said. "You're probably real healthy, but you're probably not eating as nice as we are down here in New Orleans."