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About The skanner. (Portland, Or.) 1975-2014 | View Entire Issue (March 25, 2015)
Health, Wellness and Nutrition Alicia Chang AP Science Writer LOS ANGELES (AP) — 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 obesi- ty or improve diets, a new study found. City lawmakers passed the zoning ordinance in 2008 that limited the open- ing or expansion of fast-food outlets in a 32- square-mile area south of Interstate 10 that struggles with high obesity rates and other health problems. The law, believed to be the first effort of its kind by a major city to improve pub- lic health, did not ban new eateries in strip malls. The research by the Rand South LA. Obesity and overweight rates have not fallen.” Health experts said a sin- gle intervention would not reverse the obesity problem. People also have to exercise and make lifestyle changes, they said. “It’s not just about limit- ing unhealthy food, but increasing access to healthy food,” said Alex Ortega, a professor of public health at the University of California, Los Angeles, who had no role in the study. Rand researchers reviewed permits issued by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, which inspects food outlets. There were no licenses for stand-alone fast-food restaurants, but chains opened 17 new out- lets in strip shopping centers ‘It’s not just about limiting unhealthy food, but increasing access to healthy food’ Corp. think tank found that obesity rates in South Los Angeles continued to rise after passage of the law. “It had no meaningful effect,” Rand senior econo- mist Roland Sturm said. “There’s no evidence that diets have improved more in and food courts in South Los Angeles from 2008 to 2012. Almost half of the new food permits were for con- venience stores that sell soda and junk food, the study found. Researchers also com- pared obesity rates in South Los Angeles and other parts of the county using surveys that asked residents to report their weight and eat- ing habits. Before the fast-food ordi- nance, 63 percent of South Los Angeles residents reported being overweight or obese compared with 57 percent in other parts of the county. Three years after the ordinance went into effect, 75 percent of South Los Angeles residents reported being overweight or obese compared with 58 percent in other parts of the county. Supporters said the ordi- nance worked because it prevented chains from opening new restaurants at major intersections with their own drive-thru win- dows and parking lots. They acknowledged it will take some time to see health gains but noted that the area has seen farmers markets and community gardens in recent years. “We never said this ordi- nance was the silver bullet” to solving the obesity prob- lem, said Gwen Flynn of the Community Health Coun- cils. “As long as we can make sure people have more options, that’s the important thing.” City Councilman Bernard Parks, who supported the zoning law, said he was hopeful that the area can AP PHOTO/DAMIAN DOVARGANES Fast Food Limits didn’t Cut Obesity Rate in South LA Edward Cox, 84, comments on the lack of sidewalk cafes, outside a Mcdonald’s restaurant in the Leimert Park neighborhood of Los Angeles wednesday, March 18, 2015. A Los Angeles ordinance designed to curb obesity in low-income areas by restricting the opening of new fast-food restaurants has failed to reduce fast-food consumption or reduce obesity rates in the targeted neighborhoods, according to a new RANd Corporation study. attract more markets selling fresh food. The ordinance was opposed by the California Restaurant Association. Spokeswoman Janna Haynes said the group had no comment on the Rand study. Standing outside a McDonald’s in the Leimert Park neighborhood on Wednesday, Edward Cox lamented the lack of side- walk cafes. “I want to sit down and eat, but there’s no place to sit down and eat,” said the retiree, who usually drives to another neighborhood to dine out. Cox said he’s hopeful that a planned light rail line will attract a variety of new eateries. Maurice Thrower, who runs a burger joint sand- wiched between fast-food chains, said he offers health- ier fare such as vegetarian and turkey burgers. “Once people stop to eat here, they come back,” said Thrower, who opened Sim- ply Delicious Burgers last year. African American Health Coalition Chronic Disease Self-Management Classes Walk With Ease Come to the classes to learn: • Pain management • How to develop healthy eating habits • How to become more active • How to manage medication • How to manage difficult emotions • How to improve communication with your doctor Experience the Walk With Ease Program. One class from 6:00pm - 8:30pm and one class 1:30pm-4:00pm Classes available for anyone 60+ years old interested in health improvement! To Join: Call 503-413-1850 or email: info@aahc-portland.org Must pre-register for a slot! Only 20 slots available! The last 6-week class series begins on April 20, 2015 Receive a FREE health education book!!! Classes are free, but first come first served to register! You Can Make a Change for Life a program for better living Arthritis Foundation Certified. Doctor Recommended. The Arthritis Foundation Walk With Ease Program is an exercise program that can reduce the pain and improve overall health. If you can be on your feet for 10 minutes without increased pain, you can have success with Walk With Ease. Walk With Ease will help you: Motivate yourself to get in great shape Walk safely and comfortably Improve your flexibility, strength and stamina Reduce pain and feel great Classes Starting Mid April Please call of stop by to pre-register for class. Have you ever been told by a health care professional that you: • Are at risk for getting diabetes? • Have prediabetes? • Have borderline diabetes? • Have high blood sugar or glucose? • Had gestational diabetes? FREE CLASSES! You can make a change for life. This program helps you learn ways to change your lifestyle and improve your health. Participants meet in a group with a trained Lifestyle Coach to learn how to make modest lifestyle changes. Groups meet weekly for 16 core sessions and monthly for 6 post-core sessions. FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: African American Health Coalition, Inc. | 2800 North Vancouver Ave, Suite 100 | Portland, OR 97227 | (503) 413-1850 March 25, 2015 The Portland and Seattle Skanner Page 9
