Fast-food and convenience outlets near schools in California: a comparison of private and public schools

Food environment near schools (FENS) influence children's dietary habits and contribute to obesity. Socioeconomic characteristics of schools and school neighborhoods play a role in determining FENS. We compare the availability of fast-food restaurants (FFRs) and convenience stores (CSs) across schools' socioeconomic characteristics: whether the school is public or private and the school neighborhood's median household income. We obtained the number of FFRs and CSs within a 0.75-mile network buffer from schools' locations and the names of the outlets. Negative binomial regression models, stratified by urbanicity, were used to estimate the association between the number of outlets near schools and schools' socioeconomic characteristics. We explored brand names and types of outlets. Private schools' neighborhoods had more FFRs and CSs than public schools across all income and urbanization levels. Private and public schools in low-income urban neighborhoods had more outlets compared to those in higher-income urban areas. While the names of FFRs and CSs near both school types were broadly similar, private schools had more non-chain outlets. Programs and policies to promote healthy eating and reduce obesity- and diet-related diseases should target food environments near both private and public schools, especially those located in urban areas and low-income communities.