High streets around the UK now have the highest concentration of fast food shops since 2010, according to the BBC and the Daily Mail.

Studies have drawn a direct link between the number of fast food outlets and the rate of obesity in an area.

For example, in Rotherham, South Yorkshire 60 per cent of food businesses are fast food or takeaways and three quarters of the population are classed as overweight or obese.

Last month, the Department of Health and Social Care launched a three-year programme, inviting councils to pitch ideas to tackle childhood obesity.

In a statement it said: ‘Local authorities have a range of powers to create healthier environments including planning policies to limit the opening of additional fast-food outlets to schools and in areas of over-concentration’

Full articles:

→ BBC - More takeaways on high street despite anti-obesity push

→ Daily Mail - Nation gorging on fast food: Record surge in takeaways on almost every high street is feeding Britain's crippling obesity crisis