The number of fast-food restaurants opening close to schools and colleges has risen almost 15% since 2014.
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The number of fast food chains near school facilities across the UK is growing, according to new research.
A report by youth activist movement Bite Back found that major food chains such as Subway, Greggs and Dominos have opened over 1,000 new branches close to schools and colleges in recent years. This is an almost 15% increase since 2014, with the trend now impacting most schools nationwide.
The proximity of fast-food chains to schools has raised concerns over students’ dietary habits, as many opt for these convenient and affordable meal options.
Amy White, a certified nutrition coach, is concerned about children’s eating habits. She says that simple sugars and carbohydrates can spike your insulin, so you “automatically feel like you’re full, and you’ve got energy.”
Eating fast food on a regular basis without getting other nutrients becomes a problem, she warns, because “your body can’t break down any of the harder ingredients and nutrients that actually come from fast food, so it stays in your system basically stored as fat.”
In response to rising childhood obesity, the Mayor of London implemented stricter food regulations in 2017, which ban hot-food takeaways operating within a 400-metre walking distance from primary or secondary schools.
London data shows obesity is worse in the capital
The real issue with hot food takeaways’ proximity to learning establishments is the increasing rate of childhood obesity . Research by Trust for London, an independent charity, highlights that childhood obesity is more widespread in London than across England. Further studies reveal that 1 in 4 children in Year 6 (ages 10-11) in London are considered obese, slightly above the rest of England.
This issue is predominant across the poorest boroughs in the capital. NHS data shows that Newham, one of the poorest London boroughs according to Trust for London, has the highest children obesity rate.
A detailed breakdown of obesity rates across various boroughs, underscoring the stark disparities within the capital.
SOURCE: NHS
Luna, a college student at Forest Gate Community School, sometimes indulges in food with a lower nutritional value.
“There’s a lot of chicken and chips shopsaround the college. It attracts me. It’s very normalised to go to these chicken shops, or McDonald’s or KFC with my friends, because it’s not picky, not expensive. I personally prefer not to go there but we end up going there anyways”.
Luna Aguilera, college student at Forest Gate Community School
Forest Gate’s high street highlights this ongoing issue, with most fast-food outlets located within 400 metres of Forest Gate Community School, making healthy eating harder for students.
Fast food restaurants within 400 metres walking distance from Forest Gate Community School. SOURCE: City News
Domino’s, one of the fast-food chains mentioned in the report, recognise their responsibility in de-influencing children on consuming highly saturated foods.
“As the leading pizza brand in the UK and Ireland, we recognise our responsibility to do business in the right way – our business and our stores are largely focused on home delivery, and we would never deliberately locate a store close to a school. Additionally, our responsible marketing policy ensures we promote our products appropriately and that our marketing never targets under 18s.”
Spokesperson from Domino’s
Childhood obesity is a ‘deeply rooted issue’
Nutritionist coach Amy White emphasis that childhood obesity is a deeply rooted issue, often tied to families facing challenges in providing nutritious meals, she says:
“Parents don’t have time because they’re either having to try and work two jobs or they’re trying to work to put food on the table food at the moment due to inflation is so expensive.”
Amy White, certified nutrition coach
Furthermore, White also points out that the education system plays a significant role in shaping children’s understanding of nutrition:
“We don’t have things like food tech anymore. The curriculum is completely changed so how kids are learning about food now is either through advertising, through what their parents eat or through what their friends eat.”
Amy White, certified nutrition coach
To address this issue, local councils, like Hounslow, have partnered with celebrity chef Jamie Oliver on a food education programme aimed at training teachers, parents and community members about healthy eating, with the goal of breaking the cycle of unhealthy eating habits in many households.
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HeadlineGrowing number of fast food chains opening close to schools, says new report
Short HeadlineReport: more takeaways opening near London schools
StandfirstChildhood obesity rates are soaring in London because an increasing number of takeaways are opening near the capital's schools, says nutritionist.
The number of fast food chains near school facilities across the UK is growing, according to new research.
A report by youth activist movement Bite Back found that major food chains such as Subway, Greggs and Dominos have opened over 1,000 new branches close to schools and colleges in recent years. This is an almost 15% increase since 2014, with the trend now impacting most schools nationwide.
The proximity of fast-food chains to schools has raised concerns over students’ dietary habits, as many opt for these convenient and affordable meal options.
Amy White, a certified nutrition coach, is concerned about children’s eating habits. She says that simple sugars and carbohydrates can spike your insulin, so you “automatically feel like you’re full, and you’ve got energy.”
Eating fast food on a regular basis without getting other nutrients becomes a problem, she warns, because “your body can’t break down any of the harder ingredients and nutrients that actually come from fast food, so it stays in your system basically stored as fat.”
In response to rising childhood obesity, the Mayor of London implemented stricter food regulations in 2017, which ban hot-food takeaways operating within a 400-metre walking distance from primary or secondary schools.
London data shows obesity is worse in the capital
The real issue with hot food takeaways’ proximity to learning establishments is the increasing rate of childhood obesity . Research by Trust for London, an independent charity, highlights that childhood obesity is more widespread in London than across England. Further studies reveal that 1 in 4 children in Year 6 (ages 10-11) in London are considered obese, slightly above the rest of England.
This issue is predominant across the poorest boroughs in the capital. NHS data shows that Newham, one of the poorest London boroughs according to Trust for London, has the highest children obesity rate.
A detailed breakdown of obesity rates across various boroughs, underscoring the stark disparities within the capital.
SOURCE: NHS
Luna, a college student at Forest Gate Community School, sometimes indulges in food with a lower nutritional value.
“There’s a lot of chicken and chips shopsaround the college. It attracts me. It’s very normalised to go to these chicken shops, or McDonald’s or KFC with my friends, because it’s not picky, not expensive. I personally prefer not to go there but we end up going there anyways”.
Luna Aguilera, college student at Forest Gate Community School
Forest Gate’s high street highlights this ongoing issue, with most fast-food outlets located within 400 metres of Forest Gate Community School, making healthy eating harder for students.
Fast food restaurants within 400 metres walking distance from Forest Gate Community School. SOURCE: City News
Domino’s, one of the fast-food chains mentioned in the report, recognise their responsibility in de-influencing children on consuming highly saturated foods.
“As the leading pizza brand in the UK and Ireland, we recognise our responsibility to do business in the right way – our business and our stores are largely focused on home delivery, and we would never deliberately locate a store close to a school. Additionally, our responsible marketing policy ensures we promote our products appropriately and that our marketing never targets under 18s.”
Spokesperson from Domino’s
Childhood obesity is a ‘deeply rooted issue’
Nutritionist coach Amy White emphasis that childhood obesity is a deeply rooted issue, often tied to families facing challenges in providing nutritious meals, she says:
“Parents don’t have time because they’re either having to try and work two jobs or they’re trying to work to put food on the table food at the moment due to inflation is so expensive.”
Amy White, certified nutrition coach
Furthermore, White also points out that the education system plays a significant role in shaping children’s understanding of nutrition:
“We don’t have things like food tech anymore. The curriculum is completely changed so how kids are learning about food now is either through advertising, through what their parents eat or through what their friends eat.”
Amy White, certified nutrition coach
To address this issue, local councils, like Hounslow, have partnered with celebrity chef Jamie Oliver on a food education programme aimed at training teachers, parents and community members about healthy eating, with the goal of breaking the cycle of unhealthy eating habits in many households.
