Take away food outlets are proliferating; particularly in disadvantaged areas, according to research from the University of Cambridge.
Earlier research showed that people who “live and work near a high number of takeaway food outlets tend to eat more takeaway food and are more likely to be obese than those less exposed”.
If disadvantaged areas house more takeaway outlets, this could be contributing to the healthy eating divide between low income and other households highlighted in the recent Fabian Commission report on Food and Poverty.
Birmingham should be particularly concerned. Despite a planning policy forbidding more than 10% of units in any area to be hot food takeaways, Birmingham has a hot takeaway outlet for every ~1000 citizens (see our food and the city economy report).
Does more need to be done?