- Excess body mass is related, for the most part, to the lack of physical exercise and the high consumption of ultra-processed products and sugary drinks.
- During 2021, 237,674 deaths were recorded in Mexico that were directly related to obesity.
- If the trend continues, it is estimated that over the next 30 years, 25 million new cases of obesity and overweight could be registered in the country.
There are large health problems in Mexico and obesity is one of the main ones. One of the biggest mistakes has been to normalize excess body mass because it is not about an aesthetic aspect but rather that well-being is at risk. That is why it is essential to address this situation in order to reverse the worrying current figures.
Mexico is one of the world leaders
According to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), Mexico is the second country with the highest number of cases of obesity. This organization estimates that 72% of adults suffer from it, when the average in OECD countries is 55%. In the case of children, 37% suffer from the disease, which exceeds the average of 31%.
“It is essential to address this issue as a serious public health problem. After the Covid-19 pandemic, it is probably the biggest challenge we face. The majority of cases of type 2 diabetes mellitus are attributable to obesity where there is an energy imbalance between the calories we consume and those spent”, indicates Dr. Roberto Santos, Medical Director of Kabla.
To better understand the dimensions of the problem, the National Institute of Statistic and Geography (INEGI) mentions that overweight and obesity had a direct relationship with 237,674 deaths registered in 2021. In this way, an average of 652 daily deaths is obtained, that is, 27 every hour. These deaths are directly related to the increased consumption of ultra-processed products and sweetened beverages that are very common among the population.
Obesity can cause, in addition to diabetes, cardiovascular problems, cancer and dementia. According to the OECD, during the next three decades Mexico could accumulate more than 25 million new cases of chronic diseases related to being overweight.
Obesity affects productivity and the economy
Obesity also affects the country’s economy. Currently, Mexico has the highest rate of hospital admissions for diabetes in the OECD. It is estimated that, to care for patients, the authorities will have to allocate almost 9% of total health spending over the next few decades. In addition, the Gross Domestic Product could be reduced by up to 5% as a result of lower productivity.
Health authorities assure that in Mexico at least 10 million employees suffer from diseases such as diabetes, overweight and obesity. Every year at least 2,000 people must leave their jobs due to disability.
“The problem is serious and is increasing, since more than half of the adult population does not practice any sport or physical activity in their free time, which generates a sedentary lifestyle. Most of the population is unaware that they are sick as a result of obesity and they are diagnosed when their condition is very advanced. Sometimes their treatment disables them from work.”
Proper prevention and treatment
The OECD ensures that a proper prevention strategy would prevent each year in the country more than 55 thousand deaths from chronic degenerative diseases.
“Timely or preventive medical care can improve the patient’s quality of life and, above all, prevent complications. Treatments for obesity, mainly the morbid type, must be comprehensive, that is, they include not only the doctor, but also a nutritionist and psychologist who promote new eating habits in people. And that they include the periodic application of tests to measure the levels of glucose in the blood and cholesterol”.
Finally, the specialist explains that, although an increase in the intake of foods saturated in fat and sugar prevails in the new rhythms and ways of life, a due change in food products and periodic medical check-ups that include the aforementioned tests could prevent in the medium and long term up to 1.4 million new cases related to non-communicable diseases.
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