Dive Summary:

• Researchers have released the results of the California Healthy Interview Survey, a study on almost 98,000 Californians and their consumption habits as correlated to distance from food retail locations such as fast food joints and supermarkets.
• The report found that consumers who live within three miles fast-food are more likely to eat more fast food, drink more soft drinks and eat less produce; however, those who lived within 1.5 to 3 miles of a supermarket drank less soft drinks compared to the rest of study's subjects.
• The report did not find compelling evidence to link obesity with living in walking distance of food retail outlets; likewise, the researchers maintained that "the evidence is not clear on whether promoting or discouraging a particular type of food outlet is an effective approach to promoting healthful dietary behavior and weight status."

From the article:

“... 'Evidence is more tentative than often presented in the news media and in policy arguments' linking obesity with the food environment, the researchers said. That is, the idea that people who live close to lots of fast-food outlets and far from big, well-stocked supermarkets are more likely to be overweight or obese, or to show other health results of poor eating habits. ..."