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FAST FOOD BAN SCHEME HELPS CUT CHILDHOOD OBESITY |
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A pioneering scheme in Waltham Forest has prevented any fast food outlets from opening in the borough since its introduction a year ago.
The scheme has helped Waltham Forest buck the national trend and reduce childhood obesity levels for year six pupils.
On 24 March 2009 Waltham Forest Council became the first local authority in the UK to ban fast food outlets from opening within 400 metres of schools, leisure centres and parks.
The ban was supported by a drive to improve the quality of school meals to ensure all pupils receive at least one healthy meal a day.
All secondary schools also routinely bar pupils from leaving school at lunchtime.
In the same period childhood obesity levels have dropped from 22.8 per cent of year six pupils classed as obese in 2007/08 to 20.6 per cent in 2008/09.
Waltham Forest Council’s Cabinet member for Enterprise and Investment, Cllr Terry Wheeler, said: “We are delighted that no new fast food outlets have opened in this borough in the last year and we are continually looking to build on our progress by looking for ways of encouraging our existing take aways to offer healthier foods to residents.
“Our residents overwhelmingly backed this scheme as part of a drive to tackle obesity in our population.
“It will also help ensure our town centres are more attractive places to visit by making them cleaner and safer and providing a better mix of shops, cafes and restaurants.”
Other work to tackle obesity has included Environmental Health Officers sending samples of chicken and chips from 11 takeaways in the borough for analysis to an accredited government laboratory.
Their analysis found that the average box contained 88 per cent of an adult’s recommended daily fat intake, 58 per cent of the recommended calories and 72 per cent of the recommended daily salt intake.
The Council received five applications to open new hot food takeaways between 24 March 2009 and 1 March 2010. They were all rejected.
Since the scheme was established the number of hot food takeaways in Waltham Forest has dropped from 253 to 241 (five per cent). Fifteen other local authorities have contact Waltham Forest Council for advice on how the initiative works and setting up their own schemes.
The ban on new fast food outlets was introduced on 24 March 2009.
A copy of the planning guidance used to ban new fast food outlets is available on request or by logging on to:
www.walthamforest.gov.uk/index/environment/envpl-page1/planning-policy/planning-consultations
Chicken and chips analysis
An average portion of two pieces of chicken and chips contain: 1161 calories (58 per cent of a grown woman’s guideline daily amount), 62 g of fat (88 per cent of GDA), 16g of saturated fat (84 per cent of GDA) and 4g of salt (72 per cent of GDA)
Chicken and Chips in Waltham Forest can cost as little as two pounds a portion. It is generally considered to be the takeaway of choice for pupils.
Childhood Obesity
Waltham Forest children in year 6 at primary school who are obese:
2006/07 - 23.3%
2007/08 - 22.8%
2008/09 - 20.6%
Children in the UK in year 6 at Primary School who are obese
2007/08 - 18.3 %
2008/09 - 18.3%
Data from National Child Measurement Programme www.ic.nhs.uk/ncmp
School meals
School meals in Waltham Forest have come a long way since the days of Turkey Twizzlers. all of the borough’s schools now provide a healthy, affordable and varied choice of meals, prepared using fresh ingredients every day, and our schools deserve kitchens and dining areas that reflect that.
The council aims to make lunchtimes more enjoyable for its pupils and encourage more parents to take advantage of these excellent value meals.
Andrew Golder
Press Officer
Waltham Forest Council
Waltham Forest Town Hall
Forest Road
Walthamstow
E174JF
020 8496 4740
07901 228 576
Waltham Forest are calling for back-up. We have launched a major new campaign to secure an additional 120 police officers for the borough.
Sign our online petition and find out more - http://www.walthamforest.gov.uk/backup
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