article_snippet: However, the law, believed to be the first effort of the law kind by a major city to improve public health, did not ban new fast food restaurants in strip malls.
article_snippet: In the study, which was published in the Social Science and Medicine journal, Sturm found that in the targeted area, free-standing  restaurants were rare to begin with and no new ones have opened since the ordinance took effect.
article_snippet: These standalone fast-food restaurants are outnumbered by restaurants in strip malls and small food stores, such as  convenience stores, which were not restricted by the ban, according to NPR.
article_snippet: Almost half of the new food permits were for convenience stores that sell soda and junk food.
article_snippet: Supporters said the dietary ordinance worked because the dietary ordinance prevented chains from opening new restaurants at major intersections with Supporters own drive-thru windows and parking lots.
highlights_snippet: Study shows law only banned construction and expansion of stand-alone fast-food restaurants, which are rare in the area to begin with .
  
highlights_snippet: Standalone fast-food restaurants are outnumbered by restaurants in strip malls and convenience stores, which were not restricted by the ban .
  
highlights_snippet: Almost half of the new food permits were for convenience stores that sell soda and junk food .