Large increase in the number of takeaway shops

Takeaway food are often are high in calories, fat and saturated fat

The total number of takeaway food shops in the Borough of Rochdale has risen by 14% in the past three years.

According to figures obtained by Rochdale Online using the 'Food environment assessment tool' (Feat), developed by CEDAR and the MRC Epidemiology Unit at the University of Cambridge, there are now 263 takeaways in the borough – close to a third (32.2%) of all the borough’s food outlets, against a national average of 26%.

Research has shown an association between exposure to takeaway food outlets with greater body mass index, and greater odds of obesity. Typical takeaway foods are high in calories, fat and saturated fat. A single portion of fried chicken and chips, fish and chips or pizza might contain 900-1,200 calories.

Nearly a third of children aged two to 15 are overweight or obese and younger generations are becoming obese at earlier ages and staying obese for longer, according to Public Health England.

Obesity increases the risk of health conditions such as high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes.

Dr Alison Tedstone, Public Health England’s chief nutritionist, said: “Our high streets are increasingly saturated with takeaways and food on the go, causing an over-consumption of cheap, unhealthy food and drinks.

“Local authorities and the food and drink industry all have a role to play in creating an environment that encourages healthier options – including tackling the number of takeaways and the quality of food they sell, especially among our most disadvantaged communities.”

In light of the council's campaign to tackle childhood obesity, Rochdale Online asked what is the council doing to tackle the increasing number of takeaways in the borough?

Mark Robinson, Rochdale Borough Council assistant director of economy, said: “In April 2015 Rochdale Borough Council agreed to implement new planning guidelines relating to hot food takeaways.

"The guidance sets out the council’s approach in determining planning applications for hot food takeaway proposals and is designed to improve health outcomes and to raise awareness of how planning can help tackle these issues.

"The Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) includes a policy that seeks to restrict hot food takeaways in close proximity to secondary schools and includes a 400m restriction buffer around secondary schools, which broadly represents a 10-minute walk.

"The SPD also includes a policy which seeks to prevent the over-concentration and clustering of hot food takeaways within town, district and local centres.”

On Monday, Rochdale Online asked what are the council, Link4Life, NHS CCG, colleges, schools and Pennine Acute doing to tackle the proliferation of vending machines in sports centres, hospitals, colleges, schools, health centres which sell sweets, fizzy and sugary drinks, fatty and salty snacks to children and young people in the borough?

The answer was not to remove the money-making machines, rather a statement from the council that "...the issue of healthier food and drinks in vending machines is one we are keen to work with our partners on" but Pennine Acute Hospitals Trust considered changing vending machine supplier so as "to be providing a balanced range of snacks, confectionery and healthier products", to be the answer.

https://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/111484/tackling-childhood-obesity-campaign-council-asked-what-is-being-done-about-vending-machines