New study muddies search for link between local food outlets, obesity

New study muddies search for link between local food outlets, obesity
Tags: Operations Management
June 17, 2009

ScienceDaily: A day after American researchers said that obesity in children was not related to the proximity of fast food outlets, a Canadian study has discovered such a correlation.

The Canadian researchers found that living in an area with more fast food outlets and convenience stores than supermarkets and groceries can be tied to incidents of obesity.

The availability of fast food and the scarcity of outlets for natural ingredients within 800 meters of a person's home was shown to be associated with excess weight. The effect disappeared relative to the number of outlets extending to 1,600 meters.

The researchers recommended "improving the retail food environment, possibly through zoning by-laws."

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