Urban Design Theory
Project: Regions of Cuisine & Consort
In an article from the New York Magazine online in 2008, they published a discussion on the impacts of fast-food zoning in south LA. The article related to the rise in health issues stemming from obesity and diabetes. They say the cause may have formulated to the consumption of fast-food establishments, this study was performed by the LA county dept of public health in 2007.
The continue to elaborate that a 30% rate of obesity was 10% more than the rest of the LA metroplex. They decided to present a legislation that would offer a 1-year moratorium on new fast-food eateries for 1 year, and that a location of 32-square mile area. From my understanding of the article, council members are in fear of health issues within certain economic environments and that it may affect the livelihood of elderly and child progression. Some may say that in low income areas, these chains or groceries are far in reach and are non-existent, more of these restaurants and chains are located within middle class areas.
From my research the reason for fast food zoning:
. Limiting the number of restaurant chains within a given area due to overcrowding or regulate the distance between fast food chains that contribute to cardiovascular disease, diabetes and obesity
. Promotes the strategy of heather eating environments
. Regulates the location around educational institutions
. Helps with the issue of certain areas or neighborhoods with a higher obesity index
. Promotes the strategy of heather eating environments
. Regulates the location around educational institutions
. Helps with the issue of certain areas or neighborhoods with a higher obesity index
Certain cities around the country have adopted this legislation, such as, Detroit requires a minimum distance 500 ft between fast food outlets and schools. California uses these regulations to prohibit restaurants to preserve charter of downtown areas, such as Calistoga, Truckee, etc.
My question is, what is to blame for high obesity rates? is it the menu choices offered by these fast food outlets? or, is it the location or lack of healthier options in certain economic environments? these and other concerns comes down to in my opinion, the lack of information provided by all matters in this dilemma. Through recent studies, the population characteristics within certain areas such as Southeast LA and South LA are primary situated with minority groups and wealthier areas, such as West LA that minority groups are slightly lower.
What does this have to do with fast food chains? simple, within South LA, major food chains have a lower density per 100,000 residents and within West LA is 50% higher. Not surprising, the from fact of racially mixed or b black neighborhoods have a lower density in restaurants, fast food and supermarkets, the offset of this are small convenience stores, such as 7-11 and Fast Mart are widely four times in density in South LA.
In my opinion, this goes into effect of residents of lower income areas having to travel to obtain the proper nutrient or to subject themselves of what is available around them, such as fast food chains and small convenience stores. This may also serve as to point of the rise in obesity and other health issues as mentioned above.
A recent article in CBS Los Angeles, stated that “A much-hailed law that restricted the opening of new stand-alone fast-food restaurants in one of the poorest sections of Los Angeles did not curb obesity or improve diets, a new study found.” (CBS Los Angeles), and that it had no meaningful effect on the high rates of obesity, so what is the main problem?
The amount of small convenience stores in these areas are probably not conducting a healthy way of consumption, the lack of knowledge for the majority may not be available within poorer areas. These stores mainly sell junk food and soda products and not endorsing the health factor of constant consumption.
The amount of small convenience stores in these areas are probably not conducting a healthy way of consumption, the lack of knowledge for the majority may not be available within poorer areas. These stores mainly sell junk food and soda products and not endorsing the health factor of constant consumption.
Obesity in LA:
This leads to the issue of obesity factor. in an article in LA Weekly.com, a study provided by UCLA Center for health policy research report, shows that nearly half of CA residents (46%) are overweight or obese. They also found that “24.8 percent of adults, one in four of us, are obese, compared to 19.3 percent, or one in five of us, more than a decade ago.”( Romero, LA Weekly) This also correlate to the understand that these findings are primarily in rural areas, that are lacking in healthier varieties in food, such as fruits and vegetables. The lowest rates seem to be near the SF Bay Area, different from LA Counties. Demographics show major minority groups factor in to this concern, such as, Pacific Islanders, Native American, African American and Latino population.
Speaking in experience, I myself being African American, obesity and other illnesses due to overweight are prevalent in our community. Areas of which we settle where the demographic is majority of Latin or African American, these areas are scarce with the abundance of fresh produce, grocery stores but are filled with small convenient stores and fast food chains which do not supply a multitude of healthier options. Some residents of these communities must travel outside of their area to find healthier consumption.
Conclusion:
To understand better of this occurrence, is to map out these conditions of obesity trends in areas and to summarize Fast food chains and convenient stores within the environment of LA. Another situation I would like to uncover is also the distances of how far healthier options are, such as large grocery store chains and food restaurants that apply healthier services. What can be discovered here? what condition of fast food chains have on the populous? How far does one have to travel to obtain healthier choices?
