The Christchurch City Council is looking at not just enforcing regulations but also working with the DHB to address the influx of fast food joints near schools.

Councillors agreed staff would report back potential options to reduce the impact or potentially prevent fast food outlets by schools or other specific community areas after a concerned Linwood mother presented a petition with nearly 800 signatures.

City councillor Paul Lonsdale says people are forking out either way when it comes to dealing with obesity.

"We spend billions on health every years so we want to put up a fence at the top of the cliff rather than the DHB being at the bottom of the cliff and having to deal with these issues," he said.

Lonsdale believes a sinking lid policy could be an option.

However the fast food outlets themselves deny they they intentionally build stores near schools or in low socioeconomic areas.

McDonald's has been operating in Linwood for 30 years and say they make a conscious effort to restrict advertising around schools.

Restaurant Brands, which owns KFC, Pizza Hut and Carl's Junior, says they do not advertise directly to children.