You'd never brag about living in Chernobyl. It's a conversation killer. The stigma of a reactor meltdown--and the creepiness of genetic mutations--is just hard to shake. Even 18 years later. But the truth is, there are plenty of places right here in the U.S. that are more dangerous in 2004. We call them America's Fattest Cities.

Of course, maybe you think residual nuclear radiation sounds like more of a threat to your life than fat. But take your age. Then add 30 years. That's the effect obesity has on your health, according to a recent UCLA study. And that's why we're naming names and placing blame in our sixth-annual 50-city report.

This year's Champion of Chub: Detroit. Baseball's biggest loser is now the fattest of the fat. But it had plenty of competition: Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, and Chicago followed closely to round out the Flab Five. (Note to Texans: Bigger isn't always better.)

Top 25 Fattest 2004/ Ranking Last year

1. Detroit 3

2. Houston 1

3. Dallas 9

4. San Antonio 13

5. Chicago 2

6. Fort Worth 16

7. Philadelphia 4

8. Arlington NR

9. Cleveland 6

10. Columbus 8

11. Atlanta 7

12. Mesa 19

13. Oklahoma City 23

14. Kansas City 22

15. Miami 24

16. Las Vegas 18

17. Indianapolis 12

18. Phoenix 14

19. Tulsa 25

20. Memphis 21

21. New York 15

22. New Orleans 11

23. Baltimore 20

24. El Paso 17

25. Washington 25

Top 25 Fittest 2004 Ranking/ Last year

1. Honolulu 1

2. San Francisco 3

3. Virginia Beach 8

4. Denver 7

5. Colorado Springs 4

6. Seattle 2

7. Boston 12

8. Portland 6

9. Tucson 9

10. Sacramento 10

11. Omaha 14

12. Albuquerque 17

13. Jacksonville 18

14. San Diego 5

15. Fresno 24

16. Wichita 16

17. Oakland 15

18. Minneapolis 11

19. Austin 13

20. San Jose 19

21. Milwaukee 21*

22. Charlotte 10*

23. Long Beach 20

24. Nashville 23

25. Los Angeles 22