Obesity rates in South Los Angeles grew by 12 per cent over three years despite a much-hailed ban on new fast food restaurants , research had found . Before the dietary ordinance went into effect in 2008 , 63 per cent of residents in the area reported being overweight or obese compared to 57 per cent in other parts of the county . But three years on , instead of the law curbing weight gain , the opposite trend took force . In 2011 75 percent of South Los Angeles residents reported being overweight or obese , while rates elsewhere only increased by one per cent . Obesity rates in South Los Angeles grew by 12per cent despite a much-hailed three-year ban on stand-alone fast-food restaurants , a new study has found . The failed fast food ruling targeted a 32-square-mile area south of Interstate 10 that struggles with high obesity rates and other health problems . The law , believed to be the first effort of its kind by a major city to improve public health , did not ban new eateries in strip malls . The research by the Rand Corp. think tank found that obesity rates in South Los Angeles continued to rise after passage of the law . 'It had no meaningful effect , ' Rand senior economist Roland Sturm said . 'There 's no evidence that diets have improved more in South Los Angeles . Obesity and overweight rates have not fallen . ' Health experts said a single intervention would not reverse the obesity problem . People also have to exercise and make lifestyle changes , they said . Local problem : Before the dietary ordinance went into effect in 2008 , 63per cent of residents in the area reported being overweight or obese compared to 57per cent in other parts of the county . 'It 's not just about limiting unhealthy food , but increasing access to healthy food , ' said Alex Ortega , a professor of public health at the University of California , Los Angeles , who had no role in the study . Rand researchers reviewed permits issued by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health , which inspects food outlets . There were no licenses for stand-alone fast-food restaurants , but chains opened 17 new outlets in strip shopping centers and food courts in South Los Angeles from 2008 to 2012 . Almost half of the new food permits were for convenience stores that sell soda and junk food , the study found . Researchers also compared obesity rates in South Los Angeles and other parts of the county using surveys that asked residents to report their weight and eating habits . Supporters said the ordinance worked because it prevented chains from opening new restaurants at major intersections with their own drive-thru windows and parking lots . They acknowledged it will take some time to see health gains but noted that the area has seen farmers markets and community gardens in recent years . 'We never said this ordinance was the silver bullet ' to solving the obesity problem , said Gwen Flynn of the Community Health Councils . Unhappy : Standing outside a McDonald 's in the Leimert Park neighborhood on Wednesday , Edward Cox lamented the lack of sidewalk cafes - he was n't a fan of the fast food ban . Changing tastes : Maurice Thrower , who runs a burger joint sandwiched between fast-food chains , said he offers healthier fare such as vegetarian and turkey burgers . 'As long as we can make sure people have more options , that 's the important thing . ' City Councilman Bernard Parks , who supported the zoning law , said he was hopeful that the area can attract more markets selling fresh food . The ordinance was opposed by the California Restaurant Association . Spokeswoman Janna Haynes said the group had no comment on the Rand study . Standing outside a McDonald 's in the Leimert Park neighborhood on Wednesday , Edward Cox lamented the lack of sidewalk cafes . ' I want to sit down and eat , but there 's no place to sit down and eat , ' said the retiree , who usually drives to another neighborhood to dine out . Cox said he 's hopeful that a planned light rail line will attract a variety of new eateries . Maurice Thrower , who runs a burger joint sandwiched between fast-food chains , said he offers healthier fare such as vegetarian and turkey burgers . 'Once people stop to eat here , they come back , ' said Thrower , who opened Simply Delicious Burgers last year .
Before the dietary ordinance went into effect in 2008 , 63per cent of South Los Angeles reported being overweight or obese . Three years on , the number rose to 75per cent . The city has been working with a variety of groups and agencies to try to reduce obesity among its residents - including the city's Department of Public Health which is now trying to get more people moving around Health experts say a single intervention will not reverse obesity issues .