Fast food outlets could be banned from opening in the borough as the council targets growing obesity rates.

Croydon was recently found to be the unhealthiest borough in London with sales of booze, cigarettes and junk food all up dramatically in the last two years.

Croydon Council is considering using planning powers to control the number of fast food shops in the borough and to influence where they are opened.

It also intends examining ways of working with the outlets to encourage healthier options on menus and use of cooking methods that are kinder to waistlines.

The initiative comes after concerns were raised by some residents that there were too many fast food shops concentrated in small areas, especially around schools and colleges.

The worries over fast food shops came to light when a new strategy to reduce the waistlines of the 75,000 overweight people in Croydon was compiled.

The Healthy Weight, Healthy Lives framework is due to be discussed when the council’s cabinet committee meets on Monday.

It lists ways of helping the 12,000 children and 63,000 adults in Croydon that are estimated to be obese.

Measures in the report include helping nurseries and children’s centres implement the healthy eating guidelines and a range of activities for children and their parents.

Schools could also be asked to play their part in fighting obesity and sedentary lifestyles by working towards achieving Healthy Schools status.

To secure this recognition, schools must prove their food, vending machines and physical activity programmes meet Government standards.

The council and other organisations are likely to lead the fight against obesity by promoting healthy eating and exercise and by changing workplace culture and policies.

Councillor Lindsay Frost, the council’s cabinet member for health and adult social care, said: “There is national concern about obesity, particularly the rates among children. It is putting an increasing burden on public funds and on the health of those who suffer from it.

“That means it is only right that the council, working in partnership with other agencies, provides the right guidance and information so that the public can make informed decisions regarding diet.”

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