Boston is experiencing a wellness renaissance. The city now more than ever is emphasizing the importance of exercise in our daily lives, whether through biking or walking to work, and eating the right foods. A new Gallup poll shows that Boston is one of the least obese major U.S. communities, but its rate is slightly larger in comparison to a much smaller Bay State enclave.

According to the most recent Gallup and Healthways obesity rating, a measurement of obesity in 189 metro areas between 2012 and 2013, the Cape town of Barnstable is the least overweight community in Massachusetts with a rate of just 19.6 percent, tenth least overall. Boulder, Colo. is the least obese community in the country with a rate of just 12.4 percent, the only community to come in under 15 percent.

The Greater Boston area is fifth least obese when it comes to major communities, posting a rating of 20.5 percent. Like Boulder, Denver, Colo. is the least obese major metro area, with 19.3 percent.

According to the poll, “the U.S. obesity rate increased to 27.1% in 2013, the highest Gallup and Healthways have recorded since tracking began in 2008.” Boulder is the only area with an obesity rate south of 15 percent, and the poll notes further that “The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Healthy People 2010 program had a goal of reducing obesity to 15% in each state.” No single state has been able to achieve that target.

The most obese states, for the most part, are congregated in the Southeast. The Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH area is the largest community with a rating of 39.5 percent while Memphis, Tenn. is the largest major metro area with 31.9 percent. Most of the other larger statistical areas are in the likes of West Virginia, Kentucky and Tennessee.

image via Business Insider