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Mexico May Overtake US as Fattest Country

Obesity expands south of the border

By Caroline Zimmerman,  Newser User

Posted Mar 24, 2008 11:23 AM CDT

(Newser) – Mexico is the second-fattest nation after the US, and it could top the list within 10 years if waistlines continue to expand at the current rate. Nearly three-quarters of Mexican women and two-thirds of men are overweight, and diabetes is now the main cause of death. Health officials are launching anti-junk-food campaigns, but industry lobbyists aren't about to throw in the towel.

Obesity was a non-issue in Mexico 15 years ago, but eating habits changed with the advent of supermarket chains and KFC, McClatchy reports. Today, it's easier to get a Coke than a glass of potable water at most public schools. And although Pepsi created a video game on healthy eating, it hasn't let up on marketing to Mexican kids.

Mexican citizen Manuel Uribe takes a promenade March 7, 2007 on his bed, accompanied by a mariachi group and friends along the streets of his neighbourhood in Monterrey, Mexico.
Mexican citizen Manuel Uribe takes a promenade March 7, 2007 on his bed, accompanied by a mariachi group and friends along the streets of his neighbourhood in Monterrey, Mexico.   (Getty Images)
Mexican overweight Manuel Uribe toasts with champaigne on his bed during a promenade March 7, 2007, accompanied by a mariachi group and friends in his neighbourhood in Monterrey, Mexico.
Mexican overweight Manuel Uribe toasts with champaigne on his bed during a promenade March 7, 2007, accompanied by a mariachi group and friends in his neighbourhood in Monterrey, Mexico.   (Getty Images)
People don't eat right anymore, said one merchant. That's why so many Mexicans are obese.
"People don't eat right anymore," said one merchant. "That's why so many Mexicans are obese."   (Shutterstock.com)
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