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The objective was to examine how access to fast food restaurants, less healthy/healthier food outlets and supermarkets relate to measured levels of overweight and obesity among grade 5 and 6 students.

Measured height and weight data were obtained to measure BMI. The location and type of food outlet were derived from Toronto Public Health. The density of fast food, less healthy/healthy food outlets and supermarkets within a 1-km walk of the child’s home was calculated along with the distance to the closest. Logistic regression models examined the relationship between food access and overweight/obesity.

Lower income residents were more likely to be overweight or obese, as were boys. Living in an area with a higher density of healthy food outlets and in close proximity to a …