Americas

Mexico tries to sweat out obesity epidemic

Dietary changes are blamed for two-thirds of adult population being considered overweight or obese.
Last Modified: 12 Feb 2013 05:01

Three decades ago, Mexico had practically no problem with obesity. Now, two-thirds of its adult population is overweight or obese. One of the factors in this alarming rise is the change in eating habits.

As a result, diabetes is now the number-one killer in the country. 

Nor is the problem unique to Mexico: more than 1.4 billion adults around the world were overweight or obese in 2008, and obesity has doubled worldwide since 1980. Click here to read a fact sheet on obesity and overweight by the World Health Organisation.

Al Jazeera's Rachel Levin reports from Mexico City.


140
Source:
Al Jazeera
Topics in this article
People
Country
City
Featured on Al Jazeera
Murder of Somali draws ire of foreign African nationals over rising xenophobic violence.
We look at the impact of increased sanctions against the Islamic Republic and ask who it really affects.
Tupamaros enforce rough justice in Venezuela's slums to support socialism, but critics say the group are violent thugs.
More than a decade ago the US launched a war against Afghanistan, but was it a justified battle?
Featured
Syria's War
Two years since the start of the uprising, rebels and Assad's forces remain locked in conflict.
Turkey Protests
Extensive coverage of political unrest that spread from Istanbul to other areas.
Obama's scandal
Revelations over NSA spying are threatening president's European trip.
Farming in Greece
Some urbanites are returning to their rural roots to farm the land.
People 'without'
Kuwait's 'Bidoon' have been stripped of rights and treated as second-class citizens.
join our mailing list