I live in Queens, New York and I'm extremely proud to blog about the efforts of one of our local Councilman, Eric Gioia of Sunnyside, Queens.
Councilman Gioia has proposed a ban on fast food restaurants from opening within one-tenth of a mile from any New York City school.
There's a method to this madness! Gioia's proposal is in direct response to a study conducted by the University of California and Columbia University, which found students attending schools near fast food restaurants have a 5.2 percent higher rate of obesity. And distance does matter, as fast food more than one-quarter mile away had zero impact on obesity rates.
Gioia also conducted a preliminary investigation that found New York City neighborhoods with the highest rate of obesity had 28 fast food joints within .1 mile of a school.
My Two Cents: While I applaud Councilman's Gioia's efforts, I would like to see a more strict version of his proposed legislation as the current version would grandfather in existing fast food establishments.
I realize that closing existing fast food franchises sounds harsh, but as a society we need to embrace the reality that we are in the midst of an obesity epidemic and fast-food restauarants make lousy neighbors for our children.
We need to stop poisoning our future generation.
Train hard; stay strong.
Peace.
Susan
Councilman Gioia has proposed a ban on fast food restaurants from opening within one-tenth of a mile from any New York City school.
There's a method to this madness! Gioia's proposal is in direct response to a study conducted by the University of California and Columbia University, which found students attending schools near fast food restaurants have a 5.2 percent higher rate of obesity. And distance does matter, as fast food more than one-quarter mile away had zero impact on obesity rates.
Gioia also conducted a preliminary investigation that found New York City neighborhoods with the highest rate of obesity had 28 fast food joints within .1 mile of a school.
My Two Cents:
While I applaud Councilman's Gioia's efforts, I would like to see a more strict version of his proposed legislation as the current version would grandfather in existing fast food establishments.
I realize that closing existing fast food franchises sounds harsh, but as a society we need to embrace the reality that we are in the midst of an obesity epidemic and fast-food restauarants make lousy neighbors for our children.
We need to stop poisoning our future generation.
Train hard; stay strong.
Peace.
Susan