Researchers studying the proximity of fast food restaurants in the Chicago area found that almost 80% of schools were within a half mile of at least one fast food restaurant. Is this by accident? Not according to the study, which was reported in a recent issue of the American Journal of Public Health. Statistically significant clusters of these junk food havens were found within a short walking distance from school, where teens can easily walk to lunch.

If you can't change where your child attends school, work with school officials to prohibit students from bringing fast food to be eaten at school or making these restaurants off limits. The study authors also suggest community zoning requirements limit how close fast food restaurants can be to schools.