June 6, 2008 – Fast food counters, or fast food, are never far from elementary or secondary schools on the territory of the Metropolitan Community of Montreal (CMM). It is enough to walk 795 m, on average, to find one, as demonstrated by a study whose full results have just appeared in the newspaper Forum1.
Researchers Yan Kestens and Mark Daniel, from the University of Montreal2, measured the distance separating each of the fast-food restaurants from the 1,169 schools established on CMM territory3. The territory includes 82 municipalities, where 48% of the population of Quebec live.
According to their results, students in 44% of the schools surveyed have less than 500 m to cross to get to a restaurant where junk food is served. And 75% of schools have at least three fast food outlets within a radius of one kilometer, “a journey that can be done on foot,” says Yan Kestens.
The proximity of fast-food restaurants could attenuate the effect of the framework policy For a healthy shift in schools, put forward in September 2007 by the Quebec government. This action plan aims to provide healthier food in educational institutions.4.
Disadvantaged schools most affected
Another disturbing fact: the lower the average income of a neighborhood where the school is located, the more it is surrounded by restaurants serving poutine and other high-calorie dishes.
Thus, in neighborhoods where the average household income is $ 36,076, 75% of schools have a fast food outlet within a radius of less than 500 m. Conversely, only 15% of schools are this far from a fast-food restaurant in neighborhoods where the average income is $ 78,817.
“Underprivileged schools are closer to shops, where there is a stronger presence of fast food restaurants. Pupils in these schools are therefore more exposed to fast food », Says Yan Kestens.
Few studies have established a link between the proximity of these restaurants, eating habits and obesity. “But when the proportion of fast food is high, there is a correlation with a higher rate of obesity ”, specifies the researcher affiliated with the Direction de la santé publique de Montréal.
According to him, fast food outlets are part of the “influence of the food environment”.
|
Presence of junk food outlets near schools according to the average income of the neighborhood |
|||||
|
Returned |
$ 36,076 |
$ 45,553 |
$ 58,039 |
$ 78,817 |
Average $ 54,621 |
|
Distance to nearest restaurant |
433 m |
630 m |
1,020 m |
1,097 m |
795 m |
|
Number of restaurants within 500 m |
2.15 |
1.09 |
0.7 |
0.3 |
1.06 |
|
Schools located less than 500 m from a restaurant |
75% |
50% |
34% |
15% |
44% |
Possible solutions
Does the solution to preventing the establishment of such restaurants near schools pass through the adoption of a law? There are rare examples, including Detroit and Minnesota, but their implementation is not easy, agrees Yan Kestens.
“But if we have been able to acquire zoning tools to limit the presence of sex shop and nude dancer bars, we could do it for fast food, ”he argues. Lobbying restaurant owners to offer a healthier food variety is another way that could yield beneficial results, he adds.
“We must also see the problem of obesity in a more global way,” concludes Yan Kestens. In addition to the food supply in the school, other measures are needed, such as the time allocated to physical activity – during and after class – as well as urban planning that encourages active transportation. “
Martin LaSalle – PasseportSanté.net
1. The newspaper Forum is the Université de Montréal’s weekly news magazine: news.umontreal.ca.
2. The study was carried out at the Department of Social and Preventive Medicine at the University of Montreal.
3. For more information on the extent of the Montreal Metropolitan Community: cmm.qc.ca [consulté le 5 juin 2008].
3. On this subject, see our news published on September 17, 2007.
