Location of food stores near schools does not predict the weight status of Maine high school students

OBJECTIVE

To examine the relationship between stores selling calorie-dense food near schools and student obesity risk, with the hypothesis that high availability predicts increased risk.

METHODS

Mail surveys determined height, weight, and calorie-dense food consumption for 552 students at 11 Maine high schools. Driving distance from all food stores within 2 km (1.24 miles) of schools (or the closest store) was computed, and the impact of food store density and proximity to schools on student body mass index was determined by logistic regression.

RESULTS

Ten schools had ≥ 1 store selling soda, and 8 schools had ≥1 fast-food restaurant within 1 km (0.62 miles). There were no significant relationships between the proximity or density of food stores around schools and student obesity risk. Students obtained sugar-sweetened beverages in many locations including at school.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS

Unhealthful food choices are ubiquitous. Consequently, stores selling these food items near schools have no significant affect on student obesity.

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After infection with bacillus Calmette-Guérin, peritoneal macrophages (Mø) display enhanced expression of FcR for both monomeric and complexed IgG2a, but not IgG2b. Isotype specificity of FcR can be reversed on nonactivated Mø by immune lymphokines, and IgG2a immune complexes are more effective triggers of the respiratory burst in activated Mø. Selective enhancement of IgG2a FcR by Mø activation could account for efficacy of homologous ab in mediating cytotoxicity in some systems.