Children Living Near Fast Food Outlets More Likely to be Obese, Study

Children, who reside near fast food outlets, are more likely to be obese when compared to their peers from other neighbourhoods, according to a new study by the University of East Anglia (UEA) and the Centre for Diet and Activity Research (CEDAR).

For the study, the researchers observed the weights of more than a million children and compared it with the accessibility of unhealthy food from outlets including fish and chip shops, burger bars, pizza places, and sweet shops. The researchers found that older children in particular are more likely to be overweight when living in close proximity to a wide range of unhealthy eating outlets.

"We found that the more unhealthy food outlets there are in a neighborhood, the greater the number of overweight and obese children. The results were more pronounced in secondary school children who have more spending power to choose their own food," lead researcher Prof Andy Jones, from Norwich Medical School, said in a statement. "But the association was reversed in areas with more healthy food options available."

Obesity is one of the leading medical conditions in the United States. More than 38 percent of the American adults are obese, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

In children, obesity causes childhood diabetes, low self-esteem and orthopaedic and cardiovascular problems, Jones said. Around 70 percent of obese children and teenagers battle with weight related problems later in life. Obesity-related conditions include heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes and certain types of cancer among others.

The researchers hope that this finding would medical professionals fight obesity related illness.

Co-author Andreea Cetateanu, from the school of Environmental Sciences, said that it is a known fact that fast foods centers are majorly located in deprived areas and most of the over-weight children belong to the socio-economic communities. "If we can use these findings to influence planning decisions and help create a more healthy food environment, we may be able to help reverse this trend for future generations."

Cetateanu said that while introducing policies against obesity factors such as physical activity and dietary choices should be highly recommended. Plus, the government should halt the expansions of fast food and other unhealthy outlets.