Student Obesity Linked to Fast Food Proximity
03/23/09
A study shows that kids whose schools are close to fast food outlets are fatter than kids whose schools are farther away. Researchers compared body fat data from one million California high school kids over eight years.
“The presence of an outlet within easy walking distance of a high school -- about 530 feet or less -- resulted in a 5.2% increase in the incidence of student obesity compared with the average for California youths, a correlation deemed "sizable" according to the findings.”
At my high school we had a roach coach show up at lunchtime, so in theory I had daily access to burgers and fries. The reality was that I had no money and my mom packed my lunch every day (sandwich, piece of fruit, chips, dessert item). I had plenty of food to eat and never got fat.
Maybe “proximity” has as much to do with the options parents give their kids before they leave for school.