Junk food ban plan near schools
9:30am Sunday 10th July 2011 in News
FAST food outlets could be banned from opening near schools in Bolton.
Town Hall chiefs have agreed to look at introducing a no-go zone in a bid to tackle child obesity.
The move comes after a similar policy was implemented by council bosses in St Helens.
Cllr David Wilkinson raised the matter at a meeting of the full council and, as a result, proposals to follow St Helens’ lead and introduce a 400m exclusion zone are to be drawn up.
He said: “About one in five children are obese and I think, as a council, we should be looking at ways of dealing with that.
“Obesity is a big issue and there is evidence to prove that children who are obese struggle with their weight through adult life.”
In St Helens, which brought in the ban this week, outlets that sell burgers, fried chicken, curries, kebabs and fish and chips are all prohibited from opening within 400m of a school.
Those not affected include restaurants, cafes, bistros, pubs, wine bars, nightclubs and sandwich bars.
Figures show that, in Bolton, one in 10 fouryear- olds are obese when they start primary school with about one in five children carrying excessive weight by the time they start secondary school at the age of 11.
There are already a number of takeaway outlets close to schools across the borough, but these would not be forced to close should Bolton Council adopt any new policy.
Cllr Wilkinson said: “I am not looking to target the places that already exist because they have been given permission to be there.”
Bosses at Bolton NHS, the primary care trust, have backed the ban.
Jan Hutchinson, the director of public health, said: “We welcome any move to protect children and young people from obesity.
Living in an environment where fast food and takeaway food is seen as normal makes it hard for families to choose a healthy balanced diet.
“Takeaway food is fine as an occasional part of the diet, but having such food on a regular basis can lead to health problems.
“Being overweight can lead to many different health problems, including heart disease, diabetes and cancer in later years.
“By removing the temptation, people will be less likely to form bad eating habits at a young age.”
A council spokesman said: “Officers will be drawing up a report which will go to a policy development group in due course.”
