Government urged to ban fast food outlets opening near schools

The Royal College of Pediatrics and Child Health has urged the government to ban fast food outlets within 400 metres of schools as part of its updated childhood obesity strategy.

The Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has suggested introducing the measure in London previously, but the college said it wants the policy rolled out nationwide.

Professor Russell Viner, president of the collegem told media a “leap of faith” was required from the government in order to protect future generations from rising child obesity.

He said: “Kids are coming out of school hungry and finding themselves surrounded by cheap chicken shops, chip shops and other types of junk food. This just wasn’t the case 20 or 30 years ago.

“People tend to eat what’s in front of them and we need to make it easier for children to make the right choices.”

The professor’s call comes as ministers prepare for the House of Commons Health and Social Care Committee hearings for an enquiry on childhood obesity.