Changing Diet Increases Obesity in Mexico Herald & Times
go to original July 15, 2013

Diabetes is now the top killer in Mexico and many health experts blame the nation's soft drink habit. Calls to tax and regulate sweetened beverages are being met by a soda industry that says there's no link between its beverages and obesity. (ReutersTV)

MEXICO CITY - Mexico has surpassed the US in levels of adult obesity, a dubious distinction that experts attribute to Mexicans abandoning their traditional diet for processed snack foods and drinks.

Almost one-third of adult Mexicans, 32.8%, are obese compared to 31.8% of Americans, according to the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation. Both trail such countries as Egypt, which clocks in at 34.6%, Kuwait (42.8%), and the Micronesian island of Nauru at 71.1%.

Experts say the problem in Mexico is changing dietary patterns. "One factor is that Mexicans consume more soft drinks per person than any other country. That's a lot of sugar," said Katia Garcia, a nutritionist for the Power of the Consumer group.

Mexico's obesity has caused concern among activists, especially as large numbers of children in poor, rural villages remain underweight.

Carlos Labastida, of Mexico's National Autonomous University, said: "In some regions, we haven't overcome the problems of malnutrition... on the other hand we have a problem bigger than malnutrition: obesity."

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