Access to fast food around schools – Exposures in California's low-income neighborhoods

Research is surfacing to examine relationships between student BMI and the proximity of fast food restaurants to schools. The types of food available within ½ mile of schools can influence choices for youth. With 39% of California teens ages 12-17 reporting typical weekly consumption of fast food two or more times and 29% with BMI >85th percentile, education on healthy food choices and advocacy to improve environments around schools is critical. In 2008-2009, 32 low-income neighborhoods with 55 schools were assessed by 14 health departments through Communities of Excellence in Nutrition, Physical Activity and Obesity Prevention (CX³). CX³ is an evidence-based, program planning and policy promotion framework. Standardized tools and methods have been developed for measuring fast food within ½ mile of schools using GIS mapping and field surveys. GIS reveals that schools have an average of 6 fast food restaurants within ½ mile and 23% of schools had 10 or more. Survey data for 238 restaurants were approximately 40% fast food chains. Data shows that 22% of restaurants were visible from schools, that 32% had large ads for less healthy products on windows and doors at the front of the building, 26% had ads on the roof/walls and 28% had ads elsewhere on the property. None of the restaurants had calories on the menu board and only 11% had a nutrition information poster/kiosk near the ordering counter and 12% had a brochure. Local health departments implementing CX³ utilize data to inform education and targeting with schools, parents, students and community groups.