THE University of Auckland has published the first nationwide analysis of retail food environments around schools in New Zealand.
And you probably guessed it: There is a significant number of fast food, takeaway and convenience outlets near our schools.
The analysis found that more than 60 per cent of urban schools had one of these stores within 800m, with a maximum of 85 "unhealthy" outlets per square kilometre in the case of one school. The most deprived schools had the higher densities of outlets, the report said.
It certainly should be noted that the extremes in this situation, including social deprivation, probably occur in Auckland, and Auckland's problems are not necessarily our problems.
But how far are we supposed to go when it comes to policing food choices? The report suggests that "healthy food zones" might be an option, to limit children's exposure to unhealthy food choices.