OBJECTIVE: To examine the relationship between stores selling calorie-dense food near schools and student obesity risk, with the hypothesis that high availability predicts increased risk. METHODS: Mail surveys determined height, weight, and calorie-dense food consumption for 552 students at 11 Maine high schools. Driving distance from all food stores within 2 km (1.24 miles) of schools (or the closest store) was computed, and the impact of food store density and proximity to schools on student body mass index was determined by logistic regression. RESULTS: Ten schools had ≥ 1 store selling soda, and 8 schools had ≥1 fast-food restaurant within 1 km (0.62 miles). There were no significant relationships between the proximity or density of food stores around schools and student obesity risk. Students obtained sugar-sweetened beverages in many locations including at school. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: Unhealthful food choices are ubiquitous. Consequently, stores selling these food items near schools have no significant affect on student obesity.
OBJECTIVE: To examine the relationship between stores selling calorie-dense food near schools and student obesity risk, with the hypothesis that high availability predicts increased risk. METHODS: Mail surveys determined height, weight, and calorie-dense food consumption for 552 students at 11 Maine high schools. Driving distance from all food stores within 2 km (1.24 miles) of schools (or the closest store) was computed, and the impact of food store density and proximity to schools on student body mass index was determined by logistic regression. RESULTS: Ten schools had ≥ 1 store selling soda, and 8 schools had ≥1 fast-food restaurant within 1 km (0.62 miles). There were no significant relationships between the proximity or density of food stores around schools and student obesity risk. Students obtained sugar-sweetened beverages in many locations including at school. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: Unhealthful food choices are ubiquitous. Consequently, stores selling these food items near schools have no significant affect on student obesity.
Authors: Kun Mei; Hong Huang; Fang Xia; Andy Hong; Xiang Chen; Chi Zhang; Ge Qiu; Gang Chen; Zhenfeng Wang; Chongjian Wang; Bo Yang; Qian Xiao; Peng Jia Journal: Obes Rev Date: 2020-07-28 Impact factor: 9.213