That's Fit

According to the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI), if you live in Austin TX or Boston MA you might want to think twice before going out to eat.

CSPI has ranked 20 US cities from best to worst using criteria from the city's food inspectors. The ranking considers "how often city inspectors found five major health hazards and five less critical concerns in 30 high-end, medium-range, and fast-food eateries in each city." Hand washing, maintaining food at a proper temperature, and improper cooking are some of the major health hazards. Minor infractions include poor employee cleanliness and hygiene, rodent and/or insect infestation, presence of sick restaurant workers, and contact of bare hands with food.

The CSPI encourages cities to adopt a restaurant grading program similar to a program in LA County where restaurants have to post what health inspection grade they received -- A, B, or C. (Lower grades would result in temporary or permanent closure).

Keep reading to see the CSPI's "Dirty Dining" list from worst to best.

The American College of Sports Medicine has tallied the statistics to rank 15 of America's largest metropolitan cities. Which cities were deemed the fittest? Which fell at the bottom, and why?

The goal of the fitness index is to give a quick glimpse of the health status of America's metropolitan areas. Ultimately the ACSM hopes to help cities achieve a higher level of physical activity and healthy eating habits. The reports about each city include strategies for improvement. The top five cities were:

• San Francisco, CA
• Seattle, WA
• Boston, MA
• Washington D.C.
• Atlanta, GA

The city of brotherly love has decided to spread some nutritional love. A Philadelphia city council has given the thumbs up to requiring area restaurants to post nutrition information include calories, fat, and carbs. A final vote is still pending and there is some dissention about the measure. Critics feel that the requirements are too broad and that it would be difficult for some establishments to comply.

Not all restaurants would be required to post nutrition information. Only chains with 10 or more locations, convenience stores, delis, bakeries, and some coffee shops are included in the measure.

For some restaurants, determining nutrition data could be difficult -- particularly if meals can be customized or if there is a rapidly changing menu. But from a consumer's standpoint, I love that Philly is taking a stand. Sometimes restaurant meals can be shockers, so having the information there in black and white is a helpful tool. Remember, even if the restaurant you're going to doesn't post the info on their web site or in the restaurant, ask your server. They may know/can get the info for you or, at least, can let you know how it's prepared.

Regular exercise can make a big difference in your life. Runner Anne Mahlum learned that it can be used to make a big difference in the lives of others as well. Mahlum was training for a marathon on a route that took her past a homeless shelter every day. One day it occurred to her that instead of passing them by, she could include them in her sport. From that experience, she created the running group Back on My Feet.

Back on My Feet welcomes runners from three different Philadelphia shelters. Anyone from an affiliated shelter can join, and runners receive new running gear when they start the program. Today, the group includes 54 members from area shelters, though volunteers run as well. Back on My Feet has logged 5,000 miles and partners with a job training program that is open to members.

Mahlum hopes that her program will give people a sense of pride and accomplishment, as well as the knowledge that someone believes in them. Read more about Mahlum and the program at the Back on My Feet website.

Does it surprise you that people who eat fast food several times per week weigh significantly more than those who don't eat fast food very often? It's no shock to me that a study released on Monday reveals what every one of us should already know: Fast food makes us fat.

Each additional fast-food meal packs on the pounds, according to a Temple University obesity study that reveals these specific facts:

• The weight of people who consumed three to six fast-food meals a week was significantly higher than those who consumed no fast food or ate one to two such meals per week.

• Every additional fast-food meal during the week was associated with a 1 1/2-pound increase in body weight. There may be factors other than fast-food here -- like a sedentary lifestyle of people who tend to eat fast food, for example.

• About 50 percent of respondents -- there were 4,600 in all -- said they'd be more likely to eat healthy options if offered as part of a value meal, and 41 percent would like to have nutritional information on menus. This data offers clues about what might help people make healthier choices.