Easy Fast Food Access Hikes Obesity, Diabetes Risk

People who live near fast food restaurants have a higher risk of obesity and Type 2 diabetes.

A study from England's University of Leicester found there are more fast food outlets in the inner city.

The study found there are also more cases of diabetes in areas within a quarter mile of fast food restaurants, indicating that people eating more fast food have a higher risk of diabetes and obesity.

Lead researcher Kamlesh Khunti says the results are "quite alarming" and have major implications for limiting the number of fast food outlets in poorer areas.

"We found a much higher number of fast food outlets in more deprived areas where a higher number of black and minority ethnic populations resided," The Washington Post quoted professor Khunti.

"This, in turn, was associated with higher prevalence of obesity and diabetes. The results are quite alarming and have major implications for public health interventions to limit the number of fast food outlets in more deprived areas," he said.