The residents of Houston just won a dubious² distinction that will hit them right at their waistlines.

Among "fat cities," Houston ranks No. 1, followed by Chicago, Detroit, Philadelphia and Dallas, according to results released on Good Morning America on January 3.

The survey looks at 16 different categories, such as how well city residents fare in nutrition, exercise and sports participation³, and to what extent they embrace poor health choices, such as smoking, drinking and excessive TV watching.

To figure out each city's fat content, researchers tallied⁴ the number of fast food joints⁵ per city, checked out the average length of commutes⁶ (the longer the ride, the higher the chance of excess fat), examined air and water quality and explored parks and recreational facilities.

Medical experts say that America's rising obesity⁷ stems from a society that has grown increasingly automated⁸, where fast food is cheap and easy.

But if you live in a "fat city," that doesn't mean your own destiny is high-density. In modern society, obesity is partially⁹ related to not having a lot of money, one doctor said.

"Part of it is that fatty food is cheap," said Paul Thompson, a cardiologist at Hartford Hospital, in Hartford, Conn. A couple of slices of pizza is cheaper and easier than what you'll find at the health food store.

Plus, for many of us, a natural exercise such as - walking to work - just isn't feasible.

Some experts have pointed¹⁰ out that while food has grown increasingly cheap, getting exercise can be costly¹¹.

"The whole concept of getting folks lean is to reverse the process," Thompson suggested. "Make exercise cheap and food more expensive."

Experts offer some simple weight loss tips to get the fattest city dwellers¹² started on a healthier lifestyle.

Cut out one soft drink a day, instead drinking 6 to 8 glasses of water a day

Walk at least one block a day

Getting 30 minutes of exercise a day , walk up steps instead of taking the elevator.

Eat more vegetables and fruits

Sleeping 8 hours a night