Andrew Bonallack.
The University of Auckland has published the first nationwide analysis of retail food environments around schools in New Zealand. And you probably guessed it: There are a significant number of fast food, takeaway and convenience outlets near our schools.
The analysis found that more than 60 per cent of urban
schools had one of these stores within 800m, with a maximum of 85 "unhealthy" outlets per square kilometre in the case of one school.
The most deprived schools had the higher densities of outlets, the report said. It certainly should be noted that the extremes in this situation, including social deprivation, probably occur in Auckland, and Auckland's problems are not necessarily our problems.
But how far are we supposed to go when it comes to policing food choices?
The report suggests that "healthy food zones" might be an option, to limit children's exposure to unhealthy food choices. Six convenience stores in Hamilton signed up not to sell soft drinks to children in school uniform and that is laudable, but I am reluctant to demonise fast food outlets and dairies simply on the basis of proximity to schools - or even on the basis of what they do for a living.
