“It does help but there’s a limit…”: Young people’s perspectives on policies that restrict hot food takeaways opening near schools

Abstract

Background: Local authorities (LAs) in England are increasingly using the planning system to control the proliferation of hot food takeaway outlets (takeaways) near schools as part of a range of policies to promote healthy weight in children. These takeaway management zones (TMZs) include restrictions on planning permission to open new takeaways within a certain distance of a school. In this qualitative study we explore young peoples perspectives of TMZs. Methods: We purposively recruited 46 young people (aged 11-18 years old) attending secondary school across two contrasting London LAs with operating TMZs. We conducted semi-structured, walking group interviews (go-alongs) in January-February 2023 in the local food environment close to participant schools. We analysed data using framework analysis. Results: Participants generally viewed TMZs as reasonable and uncontroversial but were not always aware that TMZs were in operation. Although participants understood that TMZs prevented new outlets from opening, they observed they did not seem to reduce existing provision. This was viewed positively as it did not result in the closure of local takeaways perceived as important components of the social fabric of school life. Participants believed that the potential health impact of TMZs is limited by their exclusive focus on takeaways as other food retail commonly patronised by young people, such as convenience stores, are important sources of unhealthy food. Participants also identified inadequacies in the wider food environment, including the school dining environment and access to food delivery apps. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that although young people find TMZs acceptable and believe they have some positive impact on diet, they did not perceive TMZs as effective as they could be. Participants articulated that the management of takeaways on their own is unlikely to reduce exposure to unhealthy foods. Widening the remit of planning policy to include outlets selling convenience foods may be important for policy optimisation.