South Los Angeles, California has officially gone on a diet! The City Council of South Los Angeles voted unanimously to put a year-long freeze on new fast food restaurants in the area. Statistics from the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health show that 30 percent of adults in South Los Angeles are obese - compared to 19.1 percent for the metropolitan area, and only 14.1 percent for the more prosperous Westside. Officials believe this high rate of obesity is directly caused by the food choices in the city. A report by the Community Health Councils found that 73 percent of South Los Angeles restaurants are fast-food establishments. City officials are hoping this suspension will attract restaurants that serve healthier food. This ban only affects standalone restaurants, so eateries located in malls or shopping centers are unaffected.

Obviously, fast-food chains feel they are being treated unfairly. They claim they already offer healthier food items on their menu, and wish the city would be more willing to work with them to promote those healthier foods.

Keep in mind that California was the first state to ban trans fats. It will be interesting to see if any other cities or states follow this new lead…