Tue, 05/26/2009 - 12:03 — Corporate Accou...
National
- A recent study found that neighborhoods with a high school were 30 percent more likely to have a fast food outlet within walking distance.
- A recent study found increased levels of obesity at secondary schools located within 1/10 of fast food restaurants.
Chicago
- In Chicago, nearly 80 percent of schools are within a ½ mile of fast food. What’s more, McDonald’s and other fast food giants have systematically located in or near schools, to make their franchises the breakfast, lunch and after-school destination for our kids.
- Approximately 10 percent of Chicago secondary schools are within 1/10 of a mile of fast food, this means tens of thousands of Chicago kids are at an increased risk of obesity.
- Additionally, 91 percent of all of the McDonald’s in the City of Chicago are within ½ mile of a school – well within walking distance.
- These data suggest that this proximity is more than just happenstance.
Boston
- The data for Boston show that – although it is a smaller city – it is right on track proportionally for the amount of fast food restaurants within walking distance to fast food restaurants.
- Three of Boston high schools are within 1/10 mile of a fast food restaurant.
- Additionally, over 30% of all Boston schools that we mapped are within ½ of a mile of fast food establishments. This is still easily within walking distance.
Bay Area
- The data for the Bay Area, which includes Berkeley, Oakland and San Francisco shows that 25 schools are within 1/10 of a mile from a fast food restaurant.
- There are 53 high schools in the Bay Area that are within a ½ mile of fast food restaurants. This is a short walking distance for high schoolers and gives them easy access to fast food before, during and after school.
- Over 90% of Bay Area schools are within walking distance (1 mile) from a fast food restaurant.
- Obesity rates have doubled in California since 1990. Around 30% of school children in California are overweight or obese.
