KNOXVILLE (WATE) - Knoxville was ranked Wednesday as the worst city in the U.S. for aging too fast, according to RealAge.com.
The rankings include analysis of America's 50 largest metropolitan areas.
Analysts say they compiled the results from the more than 28 million people and ranked cities by such factors as diet, health insurance coverage, income, and diabetes.
What earned Knoxville's ranking? RealAge says high rates of drinking, smoking, stress, unemployment, low income, "and -- not surprisingly -- the least amount of optimism" were contributing factors.
"When money is tight, an inexpensive hike in the Great Smoky Mountains or a visit to the Market Square Farmer's Market could do wonders," RealAge suggests.
"You can be just as healthy in Knoxville as you can in Denver," said Dr. Keith Roach, chief medical officer of RealAge. "You just have to work a little harder at it."
Dr. Mehmet Oz, host of the "Dr. Oz Show," is also on the scientific advisory board for RealAge.
