New York City may reduce density of fast food restaurants through healthier zoning laws

"(Fast-food restaurants) make good-tasting, affordable food, but unfortunately, it lacks nutrition," said the slim and fit Rivera.

The Democratic leader of the Bronx is worried about the increasing levels of obesity in New York and the subsequent health risks. His plan for controlling the problem is to persuade the U.S. Health Department and fellow politicians to use zoning laws to limit the number of fast-food restaurants in low-income neighborhoods, where obesity-related diseases like type 2 diabetes are most rampant.

"What I want to do is limit the number of fast-food establishments within specific proximity of each other, and try to give incentives for healthy alternatives and give people choice."

Rivera is aware that he has challenged a powerful adversary in threatening the fast-food giants, but he notes that this strategy has already worked in other cities across the United States.

Big names in fast food are not the only people standing against Rivera, however. Some locally-owned fast-food businesses stand to be shut down, should the zoning laws be changed. Dr. Elizabeth Whelan, president of the American Council on Scientific Health, also feels Rivera's plan is weak.

"I think it's an absurd solution, not just from the point of individual choice. It just wouldn't work. If you love fast food and you're fat, you'd just go to another neighborhood; and you probably wouldn't jog there, you'd probably take a cab," she said.

Many members of the public, however, admit that they only eat at fast-food restaurants for the convenience factor, and would gladly eat healthier fare.

One New Yorker said, "Burger King, Popeyes, KFC is right there. It's what we have. We could get better, but we don't get better."

###

Related Articles

Additional Resources: New York restaurants fast food	Take Action: Support NaturalNews.com Email this article to a friend Share this article on: NewsVine | digg | del.icio.us Permalink to this article: http://www.NaturalNews.com/019624.html Reprinting this article: Non-commercial OK, cite NaturalNews.com with clickable link. <a href = "http://www.NaturalNews.com/019624.html">New York City may reduce density of fast food restaurants through healthier zoning laws</a>
Receive our Natural Health Newsletter for FREE Subscribe now (it's free!) to win. We randomly choose a subscriber each month to send $100 in eco-home products or a RealGoods.com gift certificate (our choice). Plus, you'll receive FREE news, articles and action alerts from NaturalNews.com editors and join over 800,000 monthly readers who report extraordinary health improvements after becoming a subscriber! Receive breaking news alerts on natural health solutions, renewable energy, the environment, global warming and more. Receive a free instant download of our $29 Secret Sources guide that reveals top sources for little-known health and diet solutions.	Your Email Address: Free Subscription Code: Enter the numbers you see: 100% free of charge. Unsubscribe anytime. Absolutely no spam. We respect your email privacy.
Recommended Special Report: Seven Words that can Change the World by Joseph R. Simonetta Read this special report now... "Seven Words That Can Change the World reveals the astonishing, simple truths that have the power to forever transform our world for the better while freeing our minds from the enslavement of limiting beliefs. This is not a text for the simple-minded; it is a guiding philosophy for the mindful, intelligent few who are wise enough to seek out -- and recognize -- the higher simplicities of truly purposeful living." - Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, editor of NaturalNews.com	More on NaturalNews.com: • Streaming Health Ranger Videos • CounterThink Cartoons • FREE Special Reports • Podcasts