After tackling fast food restaurants—by banning the establishment of more eateries—South Los Angeles has now turned its attention to convenience stores. A new study published in the policy journal Health Affairs found that fast food restaurants may not be the real culprit behind the region's rising obesity rates.
After a year-long study of the ban on fast food restaurants, researchers discovered that it has not been effective in fighting obesity. They believe that the density of convenience and small grocery stores per capita in South Los Angeles, which is twice as high as the county average, may be the bigger issue. The report suggests that policy makers focus instead on convenience stores to target the obesity problem.
Los Angeles City Councilmember Jan Perry—who represents Council District 9—explained on a radio show that she believes the fast food ban was successful, as it has encouraged the establishment of new grocery stores in the area. She believes that expanding the ban to include convenience stores will have a similar effect.
The Los Angeles City Council will consider a proposal to control the density of convenience stores in the area by prohibiting such stores from being built within one half mile of any other convenience store, unless they provide some fresh fruit and vegetables.
