A London council is considering the implementation of a ‘No Fry Zone’ around its 65 primary schools in a bid to curb the growing obesity trend in the region’s children.
Lewisham Council is to meet later this month to discuss the proposal after a report found that a quarter of 10-year-olds were seriously overweight.
If councillors agree to the idea, no new fast-food outlets will be allowed within 400 metres of a school, according to the Daily Mail.
Councillor Ute Michel, of the Green Party, said: “Our children’s health actually gets far worse rather than better during their time in school.
“Despite making progress in making school meals healthier and teaching about healthy diets, takeaways are fuelling junk food culture just outside the school gate – undoing much of that good work.”
She added that council leaders will work with existing takeaways, which will not be forced to close under the proposals, to provide ‘healthier options’ on their menus.
Mayor of London Boris Johnson this week suggested the use of planning rules to set up fast food exclusion zones around schools and parks, and limiting the number within shopping centres and residential areas.
He went on to suggest children should be encouraged to grow their own school dinners in order to develop a healthy interest in food.
Boris Johnson wants school children to grow their own dinners >>
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By Janie Stamford
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