A 2008 ban on new fast-food restaurants in South L.A. has failed to curb the region’s obesity epidemic, according to a Rand Corp. report released Thursday.
The study showed that, between 2007 and 2012, the rate of overweight and obese people climbed across all of L.A., but the greatest increase was actually seen in neighborhoods covered by the fast-food ordinance. In fact, since the zoning restriction was enacted, the proportion of overweight or obese individuals in South L.A. has risen from 63% to 75%. By comparison, obesity rates in the rest of the county climbed from 50% to 58%.
"What has changed? Well, nothing," said Rand senior economist Roland Sturm. The restriction, which was billed as an important health measure, has proved largely symbolic, he added.
Thursday’s figures contradict earlier numbers released by the nonprofit Community Health Councils, which fought to have the ban upheld. The group claimed obesity rates had actually dropped by 3% in the region.
Los Angeles City Council Member Bernard Parks, who co-authored the restriction along with former Council Member Jan Perry, stood by the ordinance Thursday. He called it a vital first step towards improving the health and wellbeing of area residents.
The 2008 ban applies to stand-alone fast-food restaurants and covers 32 square miles. The area, which includes Baldwin Hills and Leimert Park, is home to some 700,000 people, many of them African Americans.
Read more about the latest study here.