Orange County Register

Half of all New Yorkers are obese, according to court documents that surfaced last week during a legal flap between city officials and restaurants.

The Big Apple battle centered on a controversial food labeling law that would have forced restaurants, including fast food chains like Irvine-based Taco Bell, to post nutritional information on menus and menu boards.

If you believe city health officials — half of New York is apparently fat because diners don’t realize what they’re eating.

No matter. The rule was thrown out last week by a federal judge.

Here’s what I want to know: How did the city come up with its obese calculations? Is there some New York City health index for fat people? If so, is there a per capita comparison that can be made with other metropolitan cities?

When the Maven is curious, I turn to Google for help. As it turns out, Men’s Fitness magazine produces an annual “fattest and fittest” Top 10 list for cities. Below is the list.

Note: No mention of New York, but our Los Angeles friends made the list.

The Top 10 Fattest Cities in 2007

1. Las Vegas

2. San Antonio

3. Miami

4. Mesa, AZ

5. Los Angeles

6. Houston

7. Dallas

8. El Paso

9. Detroit

10. San Jose

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