From the ArcaMax Publishing, Health & Fitness Newsletter:
http://www.arcamax.com/news/healthtips/s-568276-895854
INDIANAPOLIS (UPI) -- A U.S. study contradicts the conventional wisdom
that living near a fast-food outlet increases weight in children,
researchers said.
The study by Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis also
contradicts the notion that living near supermarkets, which sell fresh
fruit and vegetables as well as so called junk food, results in lower
weight for children.
First author Robert Sandy of Indiana University and colleagues
compared children's weight over time before and after one of these
food purveyors moved near the children's residences.
The study, published in the National Bureau of Economic Research's
Economic Aspects of Obesity, also found that residing near certain
recreational amenities -- fitness areas, kickball diamonds and
volleyball courts -- lowers children's body mass indexes. The
researchers estimated that locating one of these facilities near the
home of an overweight 8-year-old boy could lower his weight by 3-6
pounds.
Surprisingly, living near a track and field facility was associated
with weight gain.
The researchers used data for more than 60,000 children ages 3-18, 53
percent African-American, 30 percent Caucasian and 12 percent
Hispanic. Most were poor.
"Previous studies did not benefit from the wide range of information
we acquired such as details of both sick and well doctor visits,
changes in a child's address, annual food service establishment
inspection data, aerial photographs of neighborhoods and crime
statistics over time," Sandy said in a statement.