Takeaways NOT To Blame For Fat Kids

The number of takeaways near schools has NO effect on obesity levels of children - according to researchers from Leeds. Scientists at Becket University have looked at 13-thousand youngsters and say there's no link between fat levels and the number of fast food outlets. It's long been government policy to try and restrict planning permission to less healthy food establishments that are located near to schools and new laws are planned to try and create junk free zones around them.

The research was led by Leeds Becket University's Dr Claire Griffiths, who commented: "This study provides little support for the notion that exposure to fast food and other food outlets in the home, school and commuting neighbourhoods increase the risk of obesity in children. It seems that the evidence is not well placed to support governmental interventions and recommendations currently being proposed including zoning laws around schools and I would urge policy makers to approach policies designed to limit food outlets with caution."