The three-fold increase in the prevalence of obesity among U.S. adolescents in the last four decades is a major public health concern. Though highest among African-American youth aged 12–19 years, overweight is now rising fastest among non-Hispanic white children. This study has two objectives: (1) to examine the availability of retail food outlets within walking distance (0.5 miles) of U.S. public secondary schools and (2) to determine, in 20 largest U.S. cities, whether neighborhoods with a secondary school have more fast food restaurants and convenience stores than those without a secondary school.

Data on schools were obtained from the National Center for Education Statistics Common Core of Data Elementary/Secondary School Universe Survey 2004–2005. Data on food outlets were obtained from Dun & Bradstreet. The results show that one-third of schools nationwide have at least one fast food restaurant or convenience store within walking distance. The researchers found that schools in low-income neighborhoods had more fast food restaurants and convenience stores than those in higher income neighborhoods, whereas schools located in African-American neighborhoods had 30 percent fewer fast food restaurants than those located in white neighborhoods, but a similar number of convenience stores. In the 20 largest cities, at least one fast food restaurant and one convenience store is present within walking distance of 68 percent and 58 percent of secondary schools, respectively.

This study suggests that curbing obesity in adolescents will require addressing the food environment surrounding schools as well as within schools.