Alexandria Is One Of Areas Losing The Most Weight

ALEXANDRIA, VA—Obesity is becoming a widespread concern across the U.S. with more than one in three adults considered to be obese. But those living in Alexandria don't have much to worry about.

A new 24/7 Wall St report ranks counties gaining and losing the most weight using data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Alexandria is fifth in the latter category, among dozens of counties and jurisdictions reporting a lower obesity rate than a decade ago and falling below the average 27.7 percent nationwide rate. The city has seen its obesity rate drop from 21.5 percent in 2004 to 20.1 percent in 2013.

Alexandria's 14.7 percent of adults that do not exercise in their free time is one of the smallest shares among any U.S. county, declining by nearly four percentage points in the last 10 years. The city is among other Northern Virginia jurisdictions dominating the top five spots, including Arlington County, the City of Fairfax and Prince William County. (For more local stories, subscribe to Patch to receive daily newsletters and breaking news alerts.)

Here are the top 10 losing and gaining the most weight:

Counties losing the most weight

1. Arlington County, Virginia

2. Prince William County, Virginia

3. City of Fairfax, Virginia

4. Monroe County, Indiana

5. City of Alexandria, Virginia

6. Dodge County, Georgia

7. Monroe County, Florida

8. Sierra County, New Mexico

9. Madison County, Mississippi

10. Craig County, Oklahoma

Counties gaining the most weight

1. Somerset County, Maryland

2. Clarendon County, South Carolina

3. Murray County, Oklahoma

4. Indiana County, Pennsylvania

5. Leslie County, Kentucky

6. Ashley County, Arkansas

7. Evangeline Parish, Lousiana

8. Seward County, Kansas

9. Calhoun County, Florida

10. Phillips County, Arkansas

See the full report here.

Image via R. Kennedy/Visit Alexandria