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

Red 1972 Ford Pinto with black racing stripes on display with man sitting in driver's seat.

Analysis: Cybertruck Fatality Rate Far Exceeds That of Ford Pinto

The Tesla Cybertruck was recalled seven times last year.

July 2, 2025 - Mother Jones

Close-up of park ranger in green jacket and khaki hat looking out at Bryce Canyon National Park red rock formations.

National Parks Layoffs Will Cause Communities to Lose Billions

Thousands of essential park workers were laid off this week, just before the busy spring break season.

February 18, 2025 - National Parks Traveler

Paved walking path next to canal in The Woodlands, Texas with office buildings in background.

Retro-silient?: America’s First “Eco-burb,” The Woodlands Turns 50

A master-planned community north of Houston offers lessons on green infrastructure and resilient design, but falls short of its founder’s lofty affordability and walkability goals.

February 19, 2025 - Greg Flisram

Screenshot of shade map of Buffalo, New York with legend.

Test News Post 1

This is a summary

0 seconds ago - 2TheAdvocate.com

Red 1972 Ford Pinto with black racing stripes on display with man sitting in driver's seat.

Analysis: Cybertruck Fatality Rate Far Exceeds That of Ford Pinto

The Tesla Cybertruck was recalled seven times last year.

18 minutes ago - Mother Jones

test alt text

Test News Headline 46

Test for the image on the front page.

March 5 - Cleantech blog