Editor’s Note: Every week, Breaking Bronx features a health-related story, event or tidbit as part of an online expansion of our Be Healthy! column.

Unfortunately for the Bronx, unhealthy lifestyles begets unhealthy eateries. According to the Center for an Urban Future’s fifth annual State of Chains study, the Bronx experienced the fastest growth in fast food stores of any of the five boroughs. Chain retailers in general are coming into the Bronx at a rapid pace as the borough is being seen as an untapped market, but the increase in fast food restaurants, like McDonald’s (two new Bronx locations in 2012) and Dunkin’ Donuts (three new), is troubling to health advocates who want to see better food options for Bronxites.

“People should know they should make better choices, but we should provide healthier options in general,” Bronx State Senator Gustavo Rivera told the Daily News, allowing that it’s ultimately up to the consumer. “My staff has a wish list of places they’d like in the Bronx, like Panera or Fairway. Hopefully that will happen in the future.”

Ask Be Healthly! Send Us Your Health Questions.

Got a pressing health, fitness, or nutrition question on your mind? Send them our way! We’re ready to tackle your queries about food, sex, illness, health insurance, prescription medications–any health-related topics that puzzle or interest you.

We’ll answer your question in a Q&A feature appearing in the Norwood News‘ Be Healthy! column. If we don’t know, we’ll ask the experts. You can sign your name or send it anonymously.

Send your queries to: norwoodnews@norwoodnews.org.

Here’s a link to the first installment of Ask Be Healthy!