In Which Cities are People Eating the Healthiest?

Ariel Schwartz identifies where people have the best and worst eating habits based on self-supplied data gathered by a food-picture-taking and healthiness-rating application.

1 minute read

April 20, 2012, 10:00 AM PDT

By Alesia Hsiao


An iPhone app called The Eatery asks people to take pictures of their food and rate other people's pictures based on its healthiness. This week, the health start-up that created the Eatery, Massive Health, released data they've gathered from the thousands of people that use their app, and are hoping to use that information to improve eating habits.

The findings show that Copenhagen is ranked as the healthiest city, followed by San Paolo, New York City, San Francisco, Tokyo, and Philadelphia.

The app has helped to uncover intriguing eating habits among its users. "People eat 1.7% less healthy after each hour that passes in the day, presumably as their willpower erodes. That means breakfast is usually the healthiest meal, while dinner is the unhealthiest," notes Schwartz.

The Eatery is already helping its users to eat healthier. According to Massive Health's co-founder Aza Raskin, "Users ate 8% better (based on crowdsourced food rankings) after 30 days, and 11% better after three months. "It's addicting. People will take a picture of their food and rate 20 or 30 other pictures after," he says.

In the future, Massive Health hopes to delve into other health-related areas concerning stress, exercise and sleep.

Thursday, April 19, 2012 in Fast Coexist

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

April 30, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Close-up on Canadian flag with Canada Parliament building blurred in background.

Canada vs. Kamala: Whose Liberal Housing Platform Comes Out on Top?

As Canada votes for a new Prime Minister, what can America learn from the leading liberal candidate of its neighbor to the north?

April 28, 2025 - Benjamin Schneider

Person in yellow safety suit and white helmet kneels to examine water samples outdoors on a lake shore.

USGS Water Science Centers Targeted for Closure

If their work is suspended, states could lose a valuable resource for monitoring, understanding, and managing water resources.

May 1, 2025 - Inside Climate News

View of cars in traffic from behind with visible tailpipe emissions

House Moves to Rescind California’s Emissions Standards

The state has been allowed to set its own emissions goals, including a mandate to transition to electric or zero-emissions vehicles by 2035.

4 hours ago - Streetsblog California

View of Portland skyline with green trees in foreground.

Portland Proposal Would Suspend Development Fees to Spur Housing Construction

Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek and Portland Mayor Keith Wilson announced their policy plan Thursday, with the goal to jumpstart housing construction.

6 hours ago - Oregon Capital Chronicle

Honolulu Community College building.

Honolulu Community College Celebrates Culture and Sustainability

Honolulu Community College brought together more than 320 students, staff, and community members for a day of Hawaiian cultural activities, music, and sustainability-focused learning at its annual Hoʻolauleʻa celebration.

7 hours ago - University of Hawai'i News

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.

Senior Manager Operations, Urban Planning

New York City School Construction Authority

Building Inspector

Village of Glen Ellyn

Manager of Model Development

Central Transportation Planning Staff/Boston Region MPO