Rochdale is one of England’s fast food hotspots

New figures from Public Health England (PHE) reveal England’s poorest areas are fast food hotspots, with five times more outlets found in these communities than in the most affluent.

The number of takeaways in the Rochdale borough – previously named as one of the most deprived areas in England – is the fourth highest across Greater Manchester and 15th highest in the north west, with 285 outlets.

Of 330 national local authorities, Rochdale placed 53rd highest – and it doesn’t stop there.

Rochdale also has some of the highest figures for each takeaway per 100,000 of the population with 131.7 per 100,000, above the national average of 96.5 per 100,000. This is the ninth highest in the north west and 28th nationally.

The data also suggests fast food outlets – including chip shops, burger bars and pizza places –account for more than a quarter (26%) of all eateries in England.

Again, this figure rises locally, as in 2017, takeaways in Rochdale accounted for almost a third of the borough’s eateries (32.2%).

https://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/111549/large-increase-in-the-number-of-takeaway-shops

The local environment has a major influence on our behaviours and streets crowded with fast food outlets can influence our food choices – many of these currently have no or little nutrition information in-store. Children exposed to these outlets, whether out with friends or on their way home from school, may find it more difficult to choose healthier options.

The new figures also show a variation in the number of fast food outlets across England, ranging from zero in some wards to over 100 in others.

While not all fast food is unhealthy, it is typically higher in salt, calories and saturated fat, all of which can cause serious health problems when consumed too often and in large quantities. Children with excess weight are consuming up to 500 extra calories per day, so creating healthier environments could play an important role in tackling obesity and health inequalities.

Andrea Fallon, director of public health at Rochdale Borough Council, said: “At Rochdale Borough Council, we are committed to tackling obesity and we are working with our partners to take every opportunity to make it easier for families to make healthy choices.

“Currently Rochdale Borough Council does not allow new fast food outlets to open within 400 yards of a school, however tackling childhood obesity is highly complex and fast food outlets are just one part of it.

“We welcome the second chapter of the government’s childhood obesity plan published this week and look forward to seeing national changes supporting our local work.” 

One in every five children aged 10 or 11 in Rochdale is obese by the time they leave primary school –increasing their risk of being overweight or obese adults and suffering preventable diseases including type 2 diabetes, heart disease and some cancers.

https://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/119280/one-in-every-five-children-in-rochdale-is-obese-before-leaving-primary-school

Under the government’s national child measurement programme, the weight and height of all children is measured when they start and leave primary school.

Figures from 2016/17 showed that almost one in 10 Rochdale children aged four or five were classed as obese.

Among children in Year 6 in Rochdale, 21.6% were obese in 2014 to 2015 up to 2016 to 2017, above England’s 19.6%.

The prevalence of obesity in Year 6 pupils increased across several wards in the borough, including Healey, Milnrow and Newhey, North Heywood, North Middleton, Smallbridge and Firgrove, Wardle and West Littleborough, and West Middleton. 

In younger pupils, the highest obesity rates were recorded in Kingsway, West Middleton, Balderstone and Kirkholt, Milkstone and Deeplish, and central Rochdale.

In October last year, Rochdale Borough Council unanimously passed a motion on healthy weight, welcoming opportunity to lead local action to prevent obesity and protect the vulnerable.

https://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/113084/council-commits-to-leading-local-action-to-tackle-obesity

Despite the shocking figures, little is being done to prevent junk food reaching children, with attractive vending machines still prevalent in places frequented by children.

https://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/119284/childhood-obesity-are-we-really-doing-enough-for-our-children%E2%80%99s-health

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