Tackling childhood obesity: Planning to reduce waistlines

CONSIDERING the level of childhood obesity in this country, it seems astonishing that, as our report today reveals, so many organs of the state should fail to take action to regulate the proximity of fast-food outlets to schools, playgrounds, and other areas where younger children congregate.

Among the country’s 32 local authorities, only Wexford County Council has a clear policy that prohibits placing fast food outlets from within 200 metres of schools. This is despite the fact that, since 2013, Government guidelines advise local authorities to give careful consideration to the location of such businesses near schools and parks.

Some of the councils have said they would consider such a move but others defend doing nothing by suggesting that limiting these businesses would contravene other planning guidelines as well as EU and domestic competition law.