Southern Downs fourth worst in state for fast food
SOUTHERN Downs residents do not need to look too hard for a fast food outlet, with a new report finding our region has one of the state's highest concentrations of fast food outlets per capita.
The Southern Downs was dubbed the fourth worst in the state, behind Central Highlands, Brisbane and the Gold Coast.
Across the region we have 12 fast food outlets (not including independent fast food outlets) - that is one for every 2885 people.
Heart Foundation Queensland health director Rachelle Foreman said she was concerned about the number of fast food outlets.
"The food and drinks sold at these outlets are mostly energy dense and nutrient poor (ie high in kilojoules, saturated fat, trans fat and sugar)," Ms Foreman said.
"A meal combo at a fast food chain can contain almost all of a person's daily kilojoule requirements and when these fast food outlets are everywhere, we have a problem.
"More than 50% of people in the Southern Downs Regional Council region are overweight or obese, yet there are 12 major fast food outlets in the region."
Ms Foreman acknowledged the outlets are mostly located on highways and serve a large proportion of travellers but said this was no excuse.
"It means in some tourist towns or thoroughfares, your options for a healthy meal may be limited," she said.
"We need to reduce the ready availability of junk food and increase the availability of healthy food options which better support local growers at the same time."
