- Obesity in Mexico
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Obesity is an upcoming epidemic that has been significant problem in several countries, Mexico being one of the highest ranking countries in the world [1].
Mexico has a total number of 205 McDonald’s restaurants, which is not significant, ranking 34th in the world per capita. It is not comparable to the U.S. with leading highest number of McDonald’s restaurants reaching 12,804. As far as soft drinks are concerned, Mexico is not ranked on the top 18 list in the world ranking of McDonald's by country [2], but the country’s consumption has increased by 60 percent over the last 14 years [1]. The intake of fast-food, junk food, and soft drinks would have an effect on the weight gain on the Mexican people because of the numerous calories each item contains. Challenging is the inability to burn that large sum of calories compared to the amount of calories in a balanced diet.
Mexico is using several methods on trying to reform its obese and overweight population. The Mexican Health Secretary launched a new health campaign on February 25, 2008 and PepsiCo launched a program for children [1]. The program is aimed at elementary school-aged children and encourages active participation in exercise activities and to adopt a healthy lifestyle by using a computer game. In this game, the "nutrin," as the figure is called, needs help making decisions on what foods to eat, what sports to play, and when it should go to the doctor for a check-up [3]. There was also discussion on putting a 5 percent tax on soft drinks but was voted against because it was thought to be unfair to the poor when it is more expensive to buy water [1]. Eighty percent of schools do not have drinking water and it is easier to provide soft drinks (Tuckman, 2008). If these programs do not have considerable impact leading to a lessening of the obesity epidemic, the country will have several additional health problems with which to deal. [4].
Obesity, whilst once a mark of wealth, can now be a sign of poverty in the inner cities of transitional economies such as Mexico.[5] Despite this, in rural regions, many are still undernourished rather than overnourished.[6]
References
- ^ a b c d Franco Ordonez (March 24, 2008). "Mexico is second-fattest nation after U.S.". http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20080324/news_1n24obese.html. Retrieved 21 August 2009.
- ^ Food statistics> McDonald's restaurants (most recent) by country, 2008
- ^ Tuckman, 2008
- ^ Fernald, Gutierrez, Mietus-Snyder, & Gertler, 2004
- ^ The nutrition transition and obesity : Food and Agricultural Order of the United Nations.
- ^ "Fat Mexico - Obesity on the rise in Mexico", The Economist.
Further reading
- "High Prevalence of Obesity Among the Poor in Mexico". JAMA.
- "US lifestyles blamed for obesity epidemic sweeping Mexico". The Guardian.
- "Mexico Confronts Sudden Surge in Obesity". New York Times.
- Report Of Mexican Obesity Rates - Brief Article - Statistical Data Included". Nutrition Research Newsletter, June, 2000.
- "Pepsi tackles childhood obesity with videogames in Mexico". The Guardian.
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Categories:- Health in Mexico
- Obesity by country
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