We always want to protect children, whether is from abuse, toxic fumes, drugs, alcohol or other dangers. Who would have ever thought that we would need to protect them from something that was supposed to nourish their bodies and help them grow; FOOD has now become the enemy. With the rate of childhood obesity rising, countries around the world are trying to protect their children in ways that you would never imagine. In East London, the police shut down a fast food restaurant stating that it was too close to “educational establishments.”
Its owners were given three days to shut up shop.
They were informed by Waltham Forest Council that their small premises, on a busy high street, was not only within 400 metres of a secondary school but also within 200 metres of a primary school and 100 metres from a public park.
The action is intended to combat child obesity by reducing the number of shops selling unhealthy fast food near schools and parks.
The fast food ban has not been adopted nationwide but its progress is being monitored by other local authorities who could copy it.
Council leader Clyde Loakes said: ‘This fast food outlet has not got planning permission and has absolutely no chance of getting it, because of its proximity to a park and a school, so we’re closing it down.
‘A lot of fast food outlets do their business with schoolchildren, in competition with the healthy schools agenda. We have a responsibility to look beyond the next year or two to the health of our children and young people.’
Although this seems like a good plan; it’s hard to know if it will have it’s intended impact on children. The bottom line for most kids is that nutrition starts at home. It’s doesn’t matter if you ban every fast food restaurant within a 50 mile radius; if the kids can go home and eat cookies, chips and cakes, then it’s pointless.
Adria Ali
(CES, PES, CPT, BS)
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