Childhood Obesity in Mexico: A Major Public Health Challenge

MEXICO CITY (apro) – In Mexico, one in four children is affected by childhood obesity. According to “El País,” currently, 35% of Mexican children are either overweight or obese, a statistic that is projected to rise to 56% by 2035. Experts quoted by the same newspaper estimate that the childhood obesity epidemic costs the state 650 billion pesos annually.

In response to this critical issue, the administration under President Claudia Sheinbaum has rolled out several initiatives, including banning the sale of junk food in schools and launching a national campaign to measure the health metrics of 12 million students across over 90,000 schools. Furthermore, the government’s “Healthy Eating” program seeks to foster nutritional education through the promotion of healthy regional recipes.

However, the potent influence of the processed food and beverage industry poses a significant challenge in the fight against obesity in the country. The Network for Children’s Rights in Mexico (Redim) and The Power of the Consumer warned in 2024 that 98% of schools in the country sell junk food to minors, 95% offer sugary drinks, and 79% sell sodas.

Under the new guidelines issued in September 2024 for the preparation, distribution, and sale of food and beverages in all primary, secondary, and higher education schools across the nation, starting from March 29, 2025, schools are required to:

• Offer a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, seeds, and dried legumes.
• Provide safe and potable water freely available, including the installation of drinking fountains.
• Ban the sale and advertising of bulk junk food and sugary beverages, with warning labels and messages.
• Prohibit the sale of foods prepared with high amounts of fats, salt, and/or sugar.
• Encourage the revival of traditional and regional food preparations.
• Monitor compliance with these regulations (including penalties for non-compliance).

President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo has emphasized that the goal is not only for schools to promote healthy eating but also for parents to engage actively in this initiative.

Liliana Bahena, coordinator of the “My Healthy School” campaign by the organization The Power of the Consumer, argues that childhood overweight and obesity constitute the gravest public health problem the country is currently facing.

According to Bahena, one in every two children with obesity will develop diabetes as adults. Additionally, she pointed out that these children have a life expectancy four years shorter than that of their parents.

Health specialists warn that without urgent action, Mexico could be facing a health crisis, with a healthcare system overwhelmed by chronic diseases resulting from overweight and obesity, as reported by “El País”.