Poorer children have 5 times higher exposure to takeaways
Pupils in the most socially deprived areas in England are exposed to five times as many fast food outlets as their wealthiest peers, according to data from Cambridge University. Over 400 schools in the country have 20 or more takeaways within 400 metres, and an additional 1,400 have between 10 and 19 within the same radius. Health experts warn that such heavy exposure results in greater risk of childhood obesity, heart disease and stroke in adulthood. In September 2017, the average school had 2.6 fast food outlets within 400 metres, up from 2.3 in June 2014.

Increasing numbers of fast food take­aways are springing up close to schools in England, with pupils in the most socially deprived areas exposed to five times as many outlets as their richest peers.

Data provided to the Guardian by Cambridge University’s Centre for Diet and Activity Research (Cedar) shows more than 400 schools across England have 20 or more fast food takeaways within a 400-metre radius, while a further 1,400 have between 10 and 19 outlets within the same distance.

Public health experts have warned that heavy exposure of children to fast food outlets and increased consumption of high-fat nutrient-poor food leads to greater risk of childhood obesity, as well as heart disease and stroke in later life.

The number of fast food shops close to schools is increasing in all English regions, the Cedar data reveals, with growth highest in the north of England. In June 2014 the average English school had 2.3 takeaways within 400 metres. By September 2017 it had risen to 2.6.

The mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, this week highlighted the problem when he published draft planning rules designed to prevent new takeaways opening within 400 metres of schools in the capital, part of a package of measures he said would “tackle the ticking timebomb of childhood obesity and help us all lead healthier lives”.



But the Cedar figures show that the areas around schools in many parts of London are already saturated with fast food outlets. Of the 20 English local authorities with the highest average number of takeaways near schools, 17 are in the capital.

Schools in London have an average of six fast food outlets within a 400-metre vicinity, although this rises to more than eight in the poorest areas and falls to fewer than two in the wealthiest.



According to Public Health England (PHE), a third of children aged two to 15 are obese or overweight. In London, 40% of children are overweight or obese when they finish primary school, the highest proportion in England.

Before the mayor of London’s announcement, only about 20 local authorities in England had adopted planning regulations designed to limit the number of fast food outlets. While some have succeeded in capping numbers, there is no clear evidence it has delivered public health dividends.

Seven of the 10 schools with the highest density of nearby fast food outlets are in London. At the top of the scale is the Soho Parish primary school in the heart of the West End, which has 94 fast food restaurants within a 400-metre radius, up from 82 in 2014, a rise of 15%.



Outside the capital, schools surrounded by dense clusters of fast food outlets include Middle Street primary in Brighton, which has 67 outlets within a 400-metre radius, St Anne’s in Blackburn, with 46, Hope House in Barnsley (42), and Grafton House in Tameside (42).

Martin Caraher, a professor of food policy at City, University of London, welcomed the mayor’s plans, but warned that they may be undermined by cuts to local council public health budgets. “All credit to Sadiq Khan, this is a brave move,” he said. “But it comes with a cost, and council public health budgets have been squeezed and staff are leaving. Who is going to monitor and implement this plan?”

The mayor’s draft plan, which came into force on Wednesday, bans new takeaways within a 400-metre walking distance of a primary or secondary school. There are no powers to operate planning rules retrospectively, meaning the measure will stop additional outlets opening but will not close existing ones.

It also requires new takeaways to sign up to a healthier catering commitment, which encourages owners to make simple changes to food preparation methods, such as grilling rather than deep frying, and using less salt.

Soho Parish primary in central London has 94 fast food outlets within a 400-metre radius, according to Cedar. Photograph: Graeme Robertson/The Guardian

However, the restrictions will apply only to shops classed under planning laws as A5 use, which applies to outlets selling hot food for consumption off the premises. This does not include chains such as McDonald’s, which operate as restaurants with takeaway capacity and are classified differently.

Nor does it include operators such as Greggs bakeries whose primary business is not as a hot food takeaway. The Cedar figures do include such shops as well as McDonald’s-style outlets.

A Guardian investigation in July revealed that the fast food retail industry was booming. Cedar analysis found that there were 56,600 hot food takeaways in England in 2017, an 8% increase in three years. The heaviest concentrations of fast food outlets were to be found in the most economically deprived areas, such as the north-west.

PHE called this year for all councils to introduce planning restrictions on fast food into their local planning schemes. Currently, about 20 local authorities in England have implemented planning strategies to limit takeaway numbers. While some claim the new rules have kept a lid on overall A5 outlet numbers, it is not clear if any of the councils have managed to stop the rise of obesity.

Experts have warned that planning restrictions may be of limited use, partly because they do not stop the expansion of other shops selling high fat, low nutrient food, such as supermarkets or newsagents.

The restrictions may also be bypassed by developments in the hospitality industry such as the rise of online ordering of fast food, often prepared in “dark kitchens” off the high street not covered by A5 class planning rules.