Where there is a school, there is often also a fast food restaurant, according to recent research. According to the youngest, only fun, but the result is much less positive. If there are fast food chains near a school, this leads to a higher BMI among young Flemish children. Dietitian Michaël Sels (UZA) explains what we are doing wrong. “Not only the presence of those chains plays a role.”
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When the school bell rings, students only think of one thing: freedom. And nowadays often also on a hamburger, donut or ice cream. After all, outside the school gates, many children end up in a fast food mecca, according to research by Ghent company RetailSonar. This concludes that there are on average thirteen schools within a radius of one kilometer around every fast food restaurant. The chains closest to schools turn out to be KFC with its fried chicken and pizza chain Domino’s.
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Sciensano conducted a similar study earlier this year. Although the health institute took a different tack. Their study found that the presence of fast food restaurants near schools has a negative effect on weight in children, especially in young people up to the age of 12.
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Unhealthy life is forced on children
The conclusions from both studies are not very surprising, says professor and chief dietician at UZA, Michaël Sels. “We live in an obesogenic environment. In short, a society in which we are continuously encouraged to make unhealthy choices. Over the years, local fruit and vegetable stores increasingly gave way to fast food restaurants and convenience stores. And you notice that evolution in the numbers. The number of overweight and obese children increased. Only five percent of the Belgian population eats enough vegetables. Only ten percent enough fruit.”
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(Read more below the photo.)
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Although Professor Sels wants to attribute higher BMI in children not only to the availability of fast food around schools. “The portion size also increased. You used to have soda cans in standard sizes. Now vending machines are full of 500 ml PET bottles. You also have the technology. For example, a walk is increasingly being exchanged for an electric scooter. This change is also noticeable in children. You used to rent a go-kart on the coast where you had to pedal yourself. Now you see more and more electric alternatives.”
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And then there is the influence of marketing. “Today’s marketers know perfectly how to stimulate a child’s attention to poor nutrition. A simple example of this is Plopwurst.”
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If they seek out fast food to let off steam after the school day, it can lead to a bad habit later in life.
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Increased chance that they will “emo-eat” more later on
According to Sels, it is also easy to explain that fast food chains around schools mainly affect the weight of children up to the age of 12. “Their physical development is still in full swing. And their psychological too. Do not underestimate the influence of the latter. When kids visit fast food chains, they need to learn to do it for the right reason: for the pleasure it gives them. Do they need something nutritious? Then fast food is not a good idea. Want to let off steam after a hard day at school? Then not. If they learn to reason like this, that habit can lead to emo eating later in life.”
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(Read more below the photo.)
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But: the child is not responsible
Professor Sels therefore recommends that young people seek or be offered alternatives after school. “They better go to the skate park with their friends. Or could start a sport or another hobby.” But he also emphasizes that the responsibility for avoiding fast food does not rest entirely with the child. “The fault also lies with the environment. So, in addition to those fast food chains, we should also create nearby ‘health hubs’ that are equally attractive. A trendy smoothie bar, for example.”
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A fun experience around healthy food is also extremely important for children. Otherwise, the apple will never beat a bright pink donut.
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Which solutions already exist?
Schools can also encourage children to adopt a healthier lifestyle. “It has already been decided by law to ban candy and soft drink vending machines from primary schools. This is happening more and more in secondary schools. That change turned out to be a success. Nowadays there are many nice alternatives, such as the Automato by Stoffels Tomatoes† It looks like a candy machine, but is filled with cherry tomatoes in all kinds of colors. If you want a cup, you must first spin a wheel. It gives the children an experience and that is also very important.”
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Banning things is not a solution. Then children are motivated to seek out what is prohibited.
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It is not only Belgium that is committed to a healthy food environment for children. For example, London has set a perimeter around schools where fast food restaurants are not welcome. In Korea, Green Food Zones have been established, zones around schools where the sale of junk food to children is banned. “But I don’t think banning is a solution,” says Professor Sels. “Then children are motivated to actually look it up. It is better to offer fun, hip and tasteful alternatives. Offering an experience is better. If we don’t do that, an apple will never beat a bright pink disco ball donut.”
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Also read:
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Why a delicious baby snack is often thrown against the wall: pedagogue gives tips for picky eaters
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