Understanding Your City’s Trend Report

The ACSM American Fitness Index (Fitness Index) 2009-2013 Data Trend Reports serve as a tool that can be used to identify specific health and community measures where success can be celebrated, as well as what areas are in need of more attention.  When reviewing the trend report, it is important to remember that a majority of the personal health indicators do not change rapidly, so it may take a while for the impact of new initiatives to be seen in the health measures.  While improvements in community and built environment indicators are important investments, a notable change in the health of residents is expected to slowly but surely follow.  The Fitness Index celebrates the tremendous efforts that have been put into improving the health and well being of the residents, as well as the community and environmental assets, as we all move towards a healthier future for America.

Why the years 2009 – 2013?

The Fitness Index published annual rankings starting in 2008. Throughout this time, the rankings have evolved to provide the best measure of community health and fitness.  For the first rankings released in 2008, data were pulled during the fall of 2008.  For the following rankings released in 2009, data were pulled during the spring of 2009.  Consequently, several data sources were not updated during that interval.  To demonstrate a more accurate trend, the Fitness Index chose to start the trend reports in 2009.

Although the 2014 Fitness Index rankings are available, 2013 is the last year represented in these trend reports.  The 2014 Fitness Index rankings featured new and improved indicators, thus many of the new measures cannot be compared to previous years’ rankings.  For further information about 2014 data changes, please visit https://americanfitnessindex.org/big-changes-2014-afi-report/.

(Click the image below for a pdf version.)

 

Understanding Your Data Report

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