Introduction
Previous research has observed income or racial/ethnic inequalities in fast food restaurant
availability near schools. The purpose of this study was to investigate changes in
fast food restaurant availability near schools between 2000 and 2010 by school neighborhood
income, race/ethnicity, and urbanicity.
Methods
Using data from 7,466 California public schools, negative binomial regression models
estimated the relative ratios to evaluate the income gradient in fast food restaurant
availability, examine differences in the income gradient in fast food restaurant availability
between 2000 and 2010, and investigate if fast food restaurant availability changed
in 2010 versus 2000, stratified by race/ethnicity and urbanicity. The analyses were
conducted in 2018 and early 2019.
Results
In urban areas, there was a negative school neighborhood income gradient in fast food
restaurant availability in both 2000 and 2010, and across all race/ethnic groups,
except majority African American schools. The income gradient in fast food restaurant
availability was steeper in 2010 relative to 2000 among Latino majority urban schools.
Fast food restaurant availability increased in 2010 relative to 2000 among majority
African American, majority Latino, and majority Asian schools in the least affluent
neighborhoods. Among majority white schools in similar neighborhoods the availability
of fast food restaurants did not change but declined in the most affluent school neighborhoods.
In nonurban areas, the income patterns in fast food restaurant availability were less
clear, and fast food restaurant availability increased among majority white and Latino
schools within the middle neighborhood income tertile.
Conclusions
These findings suggest the need for future interventions to target schools in low-income
urban neighborhoods. Additionally, reducing child health disparities and improving
health for all children requires monitoring changes in the food environment near schools.
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: August 01, 2019
Identification
Copyright
© 2019 American Journal of Preventive Medicine. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
