Fast food ban reduces childhood obesity

17th March 2010, 9:43am

The Waltham Forest Council, which banned fast food shops from opening near schools, has seen a decrease in child obesity.

On 24 March 2009 Waltham Forest Council became the first local authority in the UK to ban fast food outlets from opening within 400 metres of schools, leisure centres and parks. The ban was supported by a drive to improve the quality of school meals to ensure all pupils receive at least one healthy meal a day.

In the same period childhood obesity levels have dropped from 22.8% of year six pupils classed as obese in 2007/08 to 20.6% in 2008/09.

Waltham Forest Council's Cabinet member for Enterprise and Investment, Cllr Terry Wheeler, said: "We are delighted that no new fast food outlets have opened in this borough in the last year and we are continually looking to build on our progress by looking for ways of encouraging our existing take aways to offer healthier foods to residents."

Other work to tackle obesity has included Environmental Health Officers sending samples of chicken and chips from 11 takeaways in the borough for analysis to an accredited government laboratory.

Their analysis found that the average box contained 88% of an adult's recommended daily fat intake, 58% of the recommended calories and 72% of the recommended daily salt intake.

The council received five applications to open new hot food takeaways between 24 March 2009 and 1 March 2010. They were all rejected.

Related Articles:

• 08 Jul 2010 - Family and friends have more influence on diet than the government, online healthy living survey reveals
• 17 May 2010 - Takeaway meals sold near schools contain dangerous amounts of salt
• 20 Apr 2009 - Takeaway outlet near school forced to close
• 09 Dec 2008 - 93% want ban on takeaways near schools
• 23 May 2007 - Waltham Forest fight for school dinners

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