The obesity problem in Mexico has been going on for almost a decade; in 2007, the country’s health secretary estimated the incidence of diabetes would rise by approximately 40 percent by 2012, killing as many as 100,000 Mexicans every year. And worryingly the numbers were not really very far off, with diabetes claiming the lives of approximately 70,000 Mexicans every year, according to recent study. And now diabetes is the number one killer in Mexico. This chronic health condition comes as a direct result of the obesity issue.
It is thought that the obesity problems are mainly due to convenience food. Most experts point out the intense rise in sugary drinks and snacks that have complicated an already serene lifestyle that many Mexicans lead. According to a recent report people in Mexico spend approximately $14.3 billion annually on sugary fizzy drinks alone. Because quality drinking water often isn’t available many Mexicans choose bottled drinks instead, and these sugar-laden fizzy drinks are very cheap.
Mexicans currently spend upwards of $380 million every year on their diabetes medications. The number of Mexicans that suffer from the disease is estimated to be as high as 10 million. The Mexican health authorities and government needs to focus on educating the public on the dangers of extremely sugary drinks and snacks. This could lead to a reduction in obesity and that would contribute to lowering levels of diabetes across the country.