2024 will mark a precedent because it commemorates the First National Obesity Day in Mexico. It is an anniversary created to raise awareness among the population about one of the most serious public health problems of today.
To understand the magnitude of the problem, it is currently estimated that three out of four Mexican adults have excess body mass. It is not a question of aesthetics or image but rather they are exposed to the development of more than 100 different diseases.
When will the First National Obesity Day be in Mexico?
By decree the March 4 to commemorate the First Obesity Day in Mexico. The date was determined to coincide with the World Obesity Day which was originally held on October 11 but since 2020 it has been held in March.
Obesity in Mexico out of control: Causes 27 deaths every hour
With this, Mexico is preparing for an important and unprecedented milestone. Thanks to this action, progress is being made to address this public health crisis with urgency and determination.
What is the objective of creating National Obesity Day in Mexico?
In this regard, Dr. Simón Barquera, elected president of the World Obesity Federation, states that in Mexico the importance of this serious disease is recognized. Although now the next step is to establish new strategies to effectively combat the problem.
Currently Mexico occupies fifth place in the world in terms of this disease which affects more than 50 million people, according to the National Health and Nutrition Survey (Ensanut) 2022.
The future of obesity in Mexico
For its part, it is estimated that 75% of the Mexican adult population suffers from obesity and/or overweight. Although if the current trend continues, it is expected that by 2050 the figure will be 88%.
The obesity It is a complex condition that arises due to a variety of interrelated factors. These include mental health, social environment, access to quality healthcare, and consumption of ultra-processed foods.
Obesity in Mexico has tripled during the last 5 decades
Therefore, it is important to stop conceiving it as a problem related to physical appearance or individual willpower, or with caloric intake and expenditure. Its roots go deeper and encompass multiple dimensions of health and well-being.
Tips to prevent the appearance of obesity
- Reduce the intake of foods with high calorie content, from excess sugars and fats.
- Avoid consuming processed and ultra-processed foods.
- Increase the consumption of natural foods such as fruits, vegetables, legumes, whole grains and nuts.
- Prefer the consumption of drinking water over drinks that contain sugars, such as juices, soft drinks, flavored waters and sugary dairy products.
- Carry out between 30 and 60 minutes of physical activity daily.
- Chew food properly to better absorb nutrients during digestion.
- Sleep between 7 and 8 hours a day in appropriate conditions.
- When you have a baby, give exclusive breastfeeding from birth to at least six months of age, to reduce the risk of overweight and obesity.
- Teach children to eat healthily, following the habits mentioned above.
To change the perception of obesity and avoid stigmatization, it is essential that health professionals play an active role.
“It is important to train health professionals to recognize obesity as a disease and not simply as a problem attributable to the patient. This implies transforming the way in which the disease is identified,” says Dr. Ricardo Luna, founding president of the Mexican Society of Obesity (SMO).
According to health specialists, it is important that people with obesity can seek specialized medical care to receive comprehensive, personalized, accessible, safe and effective treatment for an appropriate approach.
Meanwhile, do you think that the creation of National Obesity Day in Mexico will be useful to combat the problem?
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