Studying Spatial Associations Between the Density of Schools and the Density of Fast Food Outlets

Start Date: September 2007

ID #: 63155

Principal Investigator: Naa Oyo Kwate, PhD

Organization: Columbia University

Funding Round: New Connections Round 1

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The overall objectives of this project are to study inequality in New York City’s food environment, and more specifically, the distribution of fast food restaurants. Specifically, this project will study spatial associations between school density and fast food density, investigate environmental determinants of fast food density, and explore the circumstances in which fast food restaurateurs open and operate their businesses. Particular emphasis will be on low-income and predominantly Black and Latino neighborhoods, which have high rates of obesity. This study focuses on children in grades K through 12 in an urban setting.

Age Groups: Adolescents (grades 9 to 12), Elementary-age children (grades K to 5), Young adolescents (grades 6 to 8)

Race/Ethnicity: African American or Black, Latino(a) or Hispanic, Multi-racial/ethnic

Keywords: Fast food, Food insecurity, Food outlet, Geographic information systems, Neighborhood, Restaurant, Urban

Focus Areas: Food Access, School & After School

Resource Type: Grant Summary

State: New York

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