The counters of fast restoration, or fast food, are never very far from the primary or secondary schools on the territory of the metropolitan Community of Montreal (CMM). It is sufficient to browse 795 m, on average, to find one of it, as it demonstrates a survey whose results have complete just Forum1 appeared in the newspaper.
Researchers Yan Kestens and Mark Daniel, of the university of Montréal2, measured the distance that separates each of the restaurants-minute of the 1 169 schools established on the territory of the CMM3. The territory regroups 82 townships, where live 48% of the population of Quebec.
According to their results, the pupils of 44% of the schools have recorded less than 500 m to clear to go to a restaurant where one acts as the junk food. And 75% of the schools count at least three counters of fast restoration in a ray of one kilometer, "a journey that can take place on foot," Yan Kestens specify.
The proximity of the restaurants-minute could attenuate the effect of it-setting politicize For a turn health in the school, the bet before in September 2007, by the Quebec government. This plan of action aims to offer a healthier food inside the institutions scolaires4.
The underprivileged schools more Touched
Other disturbing data: the more middle income of a district is where the school is low, this one is more surrounded with restaurants where one serves the poutine and other dishes rich in calories.
Thus, in the districts where the middle of the income of households is $ 36 076, 75% of the schools account a fast restoration counter in a ray of less than 500 m. On the contrary, 15% of the schools are only to such a distance of one fast-food restaurant in the districts where is the middle income of $ 78 817.
"The underprivileged schools are closer to the trades, where there is a stronger presence fast restoration. The pupils of these schools are exposed to the fast food" therefore more, sustains Yan Kestens.
Little study established a tie between the proximity of these restaurants, the food habits and the obesity. "But when the proportion of fast food is big, there is interrelationship with higher rate of obesity", specify the researcher affiliated to the Directorate of the public health of Montreal.
According to him, the counters of fast restoration make part of "the influence of the food environment."
Presence of counters of junk food close to the schools according to the middle income of the district
Come back
$ 36 076
$ 45 553
$ 58 039
$ 78 817
Average $ 54 621
Distance of the restaurant nearest the 433 m 630 m 1 020 m 1 097 m 795 m
Number of restaurants unless 500 m 2.15 1.09 0.7 0.3 1.06
Schools unless situated 500 m of a restaurant 75% 50% 34% 15% 44%
Of the solution tracks
Does the solution to prevent the implantation of such restaurants close to the schools pass it by the adoption of a law? Rare examples exist, of which in Detroit and to the Minnesota, but their implementation is not simple, invites Yan Kestens.
"But if one knew how to endow itself / themselves with zoning tools to limit the presence of sex shop and bars of naked dancers, one could make it for the fast restoration", he / it sustains. To make pressure on the restorers so that they offer a healthier food variety is another means that could give beneficial results, he / it adds.
"It is necessary to see the problem of the obesity in a more comprehensive way also, concludes Yan Kestens. Besides the food offer in the school, other measures are necessary as the time allocated to the physical activity. During and after the class — as well as an urban planning that encourages the active transportation
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