Obesity and the environment

Fast food outlets

Fast food outlets
Relationship between density of fast food outlets and deprivation
by local authority

by local authority per 100,000 population

Fast food outlets per 100,000 population

180 160 140

R = 0.48
120 100

0 to 51 52 to 63 64 to 76 77 to 90 91 to 173

England value
80 60 40 20 0 0 10 20 30 40 50

per 100,000 population

77.9
Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD) 2010 (higher score = more deprived)

London inset:

Crown copyright and database rights 2012 Ordnance Survey 100020290

Data sources: InterestMap, Ordnance Survey (2010) Indices of Deprivation 2010, DCLG ONS mid-year population estimates 2010

Nowadays people generally have easy access to cheap, highly palatable and energy-dense food frequently lacking in nutritional value - such as fast food. Research into the link between food availability and obesity is still relatively undeveloped.1 Evidence from the USA has identified higher rates of obesity in local communities with high concentrations of fast food outlets.2 The concentration of fast food outlets and takeaways varies by local authority in England. The scatter plot shows a strong association between deprivation and the density of fast food outlets, with more deprived areas having more fast food outlets per 100,000 population. The data on location of fast food outlets was sourced from Ordnance Survey InterestMap which provides location details of businesses, leisure sites and geographic features in Great Britain. The three sub groups that have been combined to produce this map are (i) Fast food and takeaway outlets, (ii) Fast food delivery services, and (iii) Fish and chip shops. References 1. Townshend T, Lake A. Obesogenic urban form: theory, policy and practice. Health & Place 2009 Dec;15(4):90916. 2. Zenk, S. N., Schulz, A.J., & Odoms-Young, A. M. (2009). How neighbourhood environments contribute to obesity. Am J Nurs, 109 (7), 61-64.

noo
National Obesity Observatory
NOO is delivered by Solutions for Public Health (SPH) NOO is delivered by Solutions for Public Health (SPH). Copyright SPH, 2010

noo.org.uk
Delivered by NOO on behalf of the Public Health Observatories in England