People living in the top 15 cities for "excesses and vices" may find themselves on Santa's naughty list this Christmas.
Three of the most excessive cities in the U.S. are in Louisiana, three are in Ohio, and three are in Tennessee.
All top 15 cities are: St. Louis, Missouri; Knoxville, Tennessee; Cincinnati, Ohio; Birmingham, Alabama; Toledo, Ohio; Baton Rouge, Louisiana; New Orleans, Louisiana; Memphis, Tennessee; Detroit, Michigan; Richmond, Virginia; Nashville, Tennessee; Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Cleveland, Ohio; Shreveport, Louisiana; and Charleston, West Virginia.
WalletHub ranked 182 cities in the U.S. by "sinfulness" by ranking the cities on all seven of the "deadly sins."
One of the sins the cities was ranked on was "excess and vice," meaning how many DUI arrests are made in the city, how many people smoke, how many drug overdoses occur, and citizens' debt-to-income ratio.
In WalletHub's ranking, obesity is also set as a marker for "excess and vice." However, obesity is seen by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as a chronic disease, not a symbol of excess.
Dr. Nicole Marie Brown, associate professor of sociology at Saint Mary's College of California, said: "The question of 'sinful' behavior suggests a moral judgment. As sociologists, we make social judgments based on what we observe in society.
"As it relates to observable behaviors, those behaviors society labels 'deviant' are contextual, in that they can vary across societies, cultures, and time."
WalletHub has been contacted by email for comment outside of working hours.
Obesity affects poorer populations at much higher rates than rich populations, as over 35 percent of people in states with a medium income below $45,000 experience obesity, whereas less than 25 percent of people in states with a median income over $65,000 experience obesity.
St Louis, Missouri, with a median income of $52,941, ranked 10th overall in terms of most sinful cities, and first for "excess and vice."
On the other hand, Fremont, California, which has a median income of $169,023, was ranked the lowest by WalletHub in terms of "excess and vice."
Dr. Melanie M. Wilcox, associate professor in the Department of Educational and Counseling Psychology at the University at Albany: "If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction or domestic violence, it is so important to reach out for help.
"12-Step programs, Alcoholics Anonymous; Al-Anon Family Groups; Narcotics Anonymous; Gamblers Anonymous can be a good place to start, or a therapist with specialized training in addiction treatment. You can contact the National Drug Abuse and Addiction Hotline at 1-844-289-0879.
"When stopping drinking or drug use, it is absolutely crucial to consult with a medical provider or a therapist who specializes in substance abuse if at all possible. In some instances, stopping suddenly can be dangerous or, at the very least, very difficult."
A spokesperson for the CDC told Newsweek: "People with obesity are at increased risk for stigmatization and isolation, and unfortunately bias against those with excess weight is common across many settings in a community, including health care. This can lead to poor social, economic, physical, and emotional health consequences."
Medical advancements, such as the creation of GLP-1s, i.e. Ozempic and Wegovy, have provided hope for interventions in curbing obesity and addictions.
A spokesperson for the CDC explained to Newsweek: "Advances in obesity prevention and treatment show great potential. The new highly effective GLP-1 based medications address the underlying drivers of how obesity impacts a person's organs through inflammation and other pathways.
"These medications -- when paired with lifestyle interventions that focus on health behaviors like nutrition, physical activity, sleep, and stress -- are bringing hope to those impacted by the disease of obesity. Intensive health behavior and lifestyle interventions, or family healthy weight programs, are increasingly available to support children and families."