Shreveport is well known for its delicious food and rich food culture. We even have a special week dedicated to local cuisine — 318 Restaurant Week — and it’s something locals are proud of. But despite all the love for local restaurants, a recent study has put Shreveport in the spotlight for a different reason — and not in a good way.
Shreveport Named the Least Healthy City in Louisiana
According to a national study that ranked 182 cities across the U.S., Shreveport came out as the least healthy city in Louisiana. The study measured health across four main areas: healthcare, food, fitness, and green space (parks and recreational areas).
Among Louisiana cities included in the study — Shreveport, Baton Rouge, and New Orleans — Shreveport ranked the lowest overall. While Baton Rouge and New Orleans had their issues, the numbers suggest Shreveport is struggling more when it comes to public health and nutrition.
What Makes Shreveport’s Health Rating So Low?
Let’s be clear: the study does not say that the food in Shreveport is unhealthy. Instead, it looks at lifestyle habits and access to health resources.
According to the data, Shreveport has:
- A high obesity rate among residents
- A low number of people eating fruits and vegetables daily
- A very small number of certified nutritionists per capita
- Fewer residents involved in regular physical activity
When compared to other Louisiana cities, Baton Rouge had even fewer adults eating fruits and vegetables, but Shreveport scored worse overall because of other factors like fitness and park accessibility.
Fitness and Green Spaces: Another Area of Concern
The study also considered how active people are in each city, and how easy it is to access parks and recreational areas. In these categories, Shreveport again fell behind. The number of park acres per capita (how much park space is available per person) is lower than ideal, and many adults are not engaged in regular physical activities.
How the Study Measured the Cities
The ranking was based on these four major categories:
- Health Care – including premature death rates
- Food – including how many people eat fruits and vegetables regularly
- Fitness – how many adults exercise regularly
- Green Space – total park space available per person
Each city was scored in all four areas, and Shreveport’s overall performance was low, making it one of the unhealthiest cities in the U.S. — and the least healthy in Louisiana.