OECD highlights Mexico's work against obesity

• April 24, 2024

The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) presented the report "Obesity and the economy of prevention ", Which examines the characteristics of the growing global epidemic of obesity and provides comparative information on a comprehensive and multisectoral strategy against obesity . In this sense, the OECD, considers the economic impact of a range of interventions: health education and promotion, regulation and fiscal measures and guidance of family doctors. Given the importance of this issue for public health, Mexico was one of the countries that participated and was included in the report. The study indicates that a comprehensive and comprehensive strategy, combining interventions aimed at different age groups and determinants of the obesity , will provide an affordable and cost-effective solution significantly increasing health improvements compared to isolated actions. In this sense, the document clarifies that during this administration, Mexico has implemented a comprehensive policy of prevention and care of the obesity with a broad participation of the whole society that fosters a shared responsibility between different sectors and orders of government, civil society, academic and professional sectors, as well as industry.

Mexico in action against obesity

This program contemplates different mechanisms that affect lifestyles in order to combat obesity , having as axis the National Agreement for Food Health .

Among the mechanisms stand out, the implementation of the self-regulation code of Advertising of Food and Non-alcoholic Beverages Directed to the Children's Public (Code PABI), the creation of the National Council for the Prevention of Chronic Diseases (CONACRO), the creation and operation of the Units of Medical Specialties of Chronic Diseases (UNEMES), the operation of the Five Steps for Your Health program, as well as the operation of the technical guidelines for the sale or distribution of food and beverages in basic education establishments.

With this program, by 2012, Mexico will be able to reverse the growth in the prevalence of obesity Y overweight observed in children from two to five years less than what existed in 2006, stop the advance in children under 19 years and slow down growth in adults.

The study highlights that the price of containing obesity in Mexico would cost around $ 150 pesos ($ 12) per capita, less than in other OECD countries.

In Mexico all the prevention programs examined will be profitable in the long term. It is estimated that a comprehensive strategy would prevent 55 thousand deaths per year chronic diseases , would prevent or delay the onset of diseases, reduce disability and improve the quality of life of the population.