LEXICON
health zoning
DEFINITION helth zohn-ing n: Limiting the number of fast-food restaurants in urban areas.
CONTEXT Los Angeles is considering a two-year moratorium on new fast-food stores in South L.A. It's not the only city cracking down on fatty foods: Berkeley and Arcata, Calif., limit greasy chains, while certain districts of Port Jefferson, N.Y.; Concord, Mass.; and Calistoga, Calif., ban them entirely. But critics say L.A. is ignoring a bigger issue: poverty. About 28% of its residents are poor, and fast food is a cheap dinner fix.
USAGE South L.A. has the highest concentration of fast-food joints in the city, and the area has fewer grocery stores and restaurants than any other neighborhood. About 30% of adults in the low-income area are obese, almost 10% more than the national average. The two-year moratorium on fast food will be presented to the city council this fall, but opponents argue that for many, fast food isn't simply a convenience; it's the only choice.
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Post je objavljen 17.10.2007. u 00:46 sati.