Idaho recently took top honors after a report compiled data on 10-year obesity rates, access to fitness facilities, physical inactivity and alcohol consumption from the telehealth platform NiceRx. 

The Gem State was awarded the highest rating at 7.14 out of 10, followed by Washington. Colorado, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and California also ranked among the top-scoring states.

The report credited the wide range of recreation options and the accessibility of fitness centers with part of the health score, something personal trainer Erica Youngman said often factored into why people seek help with their fitness goals.  

“Accessibility is huge,” she said.

Youngman, a personal trainer at PEAK Fitness in Post Falls, said that people often reach out for assistance in achieving self-reliance goals.  

Being able to lift a deer more comfortably when hunting with family or friends, or to better shoulder supplies around the house, is often a factor Youngman hears about when seeking independence in fitness and pursuing mobility.   

She said people often reach out to her when they feel intimidated about joining a gym and want to create a helpful routine to hit their fitness goals.  

“Some of their healthy concerns are, ‘Going to do my day-to-day activities and not have pain when I get out of bed,” Youngman said. 

Although national obesity rates rose by 18% in the last 10 years, Idaho ranks as the slowest-growing state in the country, growing at 4.7%.  

Idaho has the fourth-lowest alcohol consumption level in the U.S., drinking 1.91 gallons per capita, and less than one-third of the state’s population is considered obese at the13th lowest obesity rate. 

The obesity rate in America is about 40% of the population.   

Hayden resident Scott Reeves said he goes to the gym and stays active, cycling through the seasons and enjoying outdoor recreation to keep fit.

“I’m retired and I’m a former fire captain. I like to wake surf in the summer, snowboard in the winter and play pickleball,” Reeves said. “This area has all of that and access to the outdoors, my wife and I like to hike a lot.” 

The rise of sports such as pickleball across age groups lowers the barrier to physical activity.    

Becca Cleto of Coeur d’Alene plays with local pickleball groups five days a week and volunteers with the sport. 

Being active is a big part of her plan to stay healthy. Still, the planned round-robin matches have become an almost addictive source of competition with fellow pickleballers. 

“You never run out of people to play,” Cleto said. “There's nothing like camaraderie here.”

    Becca Cleto prepares to serve during round robin pickleball at PEAK Fitness in Post Falls.