Fat-soaked chicken in majority of takeaway shops contributes to area's obesity: expert.
The low price of unhealthy deep-fried chicken has made it a mainstay of takeaway food in low-income Otara in South Auckland.
After the Herald reported on a 9 per cent jump in national takeaway purchases in a year, the paper visited the Otara town centre's fast-food quarter and can confirm nutritionist David Hill's assertion that more than half of the takeaway shops sell deep-fried food, especially chicken.
Even some of the bakeries sell the crispy golden treat, alongside a strictly limited range of sandwiches. One bakery had just 12 sandwiches in its display cabinets, of which nine contained some salad.
Mr Hill said the fat-soaked chicken packed such an energy punch that it would contribute to the suburb's obesity, a risk factor for type 2 diabetes, strokes and heart attacks.