A Proposal to Separate Fast Food and Schools

A McDonald's in the East Harlem section of New York City this morning.

Photo: Gloria Dawson / The Daily Green

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Trying to rid schools of fast food in their cafeterias and vending machines has long been an objective for nutritionists and activists. But, a new study from the National Bureau of Economic Research shows that fast-food restaurants nearby to schools, one-tenth a mile or about one city block, also play a role in the obesity of students. The study states that obesity rates are 5.2% higher in such schools.

The New York Times reports that Eric N. Gioia, a city councilman in New York City, is proposing a ban on fast-food restaurants opening close to the city's schools, although existing locations would be exempt.

The study was performed in California, but Gioia looked closely at neighborhoods in New York City that had high obesity rates, specifically the East Harlem section of Manhattan, which has an obesity rate of one in three and which was also sited in a recent study on how exposure to phthalate may also factor into the area's high obesity rate. He found that this area had 18 schools with fast-food restaurants within one-tenth of a mile.

Not surprisingly, the Center for Consumer Freedom, (which is supported by the restaurant industry, among others) was strongly against the study, stating: "another case of confusing correlation with causation in the obesity blame game." There was little doubt in the validity of this study in East Harlem this morning where students could be seen purchasing breakfast at a McDonald's less then a block away from a school.

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