Obesity Epidemic In Mexico: A Comparative Analysis

Various regions of the world have different responses to the issue of obesity. Some cultures view obesity as necessary and attractive while others are taking drastic measures in an attempt to promote a healthy lifestyle. Although some of these drastic changes seem a bit invasive and controversial, policy makers are debating whether it is effective and even whether or not such a policy should be adopted in the United States. According to the article written by Gallagher, a culture sensitive approach should be implemented in order to tackle the issue of global obesity. A study of children of Mexican descent showed that about 32.6% of Mexican children occupying the U.S. are overweight and about 19.2% are obese (Gallagher 2010). The parents observed in this study were serving their children unhealthy foods, such as those from cans and fast food restaurants, due to price and convenience (Gallagher 2010).

Over 60 million people are obese in the world today. The socioeconomic statuses of the Americans play a major part in the obesity rates across the country. People with higher incomes are less likely to be obese than people with lower incomes. One in every seven preschool-aged children living in lower income areas are obese (Center for Disease Control and Prevention). A 2008 study showed that obesity is highest among American Indian and Alaska Native (21.2 percent) and Hispanic Americans (18.5 percent) children, and it is lowest

outcome of obesity in this community, there needs to be a sufficient understand of Hispanic

The Hispanic cultures view on obesity or having a fuller and heavier child differs from an American’s perspective. Like many cultures around the world, hefty version of themselves is a sign of wealth and opulence. This belief is passed down to their children. Hispanic and Latino mothers believe a heavier child is a good idea and it shows healthy development. “Culture can influence the perception of risk associated with obesity. Studies of Latinos have found that many mothers of obese children believe their child to be healthy and are unconcerned about their child's weight, although these same parents are likely to believe that obese children in general should be taken to a nutritionist or physician for help with weight reduction.” (Caprio

In 2013-2014 37.7% of adults 20 years of age and older in the U.S were obese. Among racial ethnic groups white Non -Hispanics had the lowest rate of obesity at 36.4%. Black and Hispanics populations had rates of 48.4% and 42.6% nationally. The rate for Black non- Hispanic groups were 1.5 times higher than the rate for white non- Hispanic groups.("Healthy People 2020," 2014, p. 3).

In the past several decades and according to the State of Obesity “38.9 % of children ages 2-19 are obese in the Latino culture.” The rates of severe obesity are higher amongst these children compared to the White American children.

With the United Kingdom number three in the world with 23% of the population being classed as obese.

(p.230) Because of this, obesity is now spanning the globe as other countries have adopted the American fast food culture.

Bolivia has the highest infant mortality rate (31 per 1000 live births) and the lowest life expectancy among the countries mentioned in the above table. According to the find the data website, Bolivia is among the poorest country in the Latin America with an estimated 39.06% of its population are under the poverty line. Therefore, socioeconomic status of the Bolivians may account for the high mortality rate and low life expectancy than the other four countries compared. Chile has the highest life expectancy (81 years in average for both sexes) and adult obesity rate (29.4 in average) among the five compared countries. Surprisingly, these two countries show paradoxical analysis in terms of the obesity versus life expectancy. Although it’s undeniable

What is obesity? According to the Health Reference Center Academic, “Obesity is a clinical condition characterized by an excess of body fat”. Obesity causes serious and life-threatening diseases. Obesity can be calculated using the BMI or Body mass index. The higher the BMI the more obese a person is considered. More than 1 third of the population in the US is obese. Medical costs for treating obesity were estimated at $147 billion in 2008. Non-Hispanic black and Mexican American men with higher incomes are more likely to be obese than those with lower incomes. On the other hand, women with higher incomes are less likely to be obese than those with lower incomes. This may be a result of the type of food that they eat. Obesity in the US is a very common health issue; no state had a prevalence of less than 20%. The increase in obesity rates in the US was from the 1990s through the 2010s (Adult Obesity Facts). There 's a lack of statistics about obesity in the Middle East, but we expect the rates to be similar to those in the US and increasing. Obesity is an epidemic that is spreading quickly through the nations. Due to the various debilitating effects obesity has on many levels, I would like to expose in depth the causes, prevention, effects, and treatments of obesity. Debates on those points should be outlined quickly to help stop this epidemic.

“America is the most obese country” is what you would think and or did think, but that is wrong. America was the most obese country, but in 2013, Mexico surpassed the U.S. and it is now the most obese country, having roughly 32.8 percent of adults being overweight and one third being obese. America is in second place, having 31.8 percent being obese. Mexican teenagers also are one third obese and the majority of overweight Mexican teenagers will stay obese and be at risk for diseses. The average Mexican drinks 163 liters (46 gallons) per year, of soda; this is 40 percent more than the average American who drinks 118 liters, or 31 gallons. Mexicans consume an average of 650 cans a year of Coca Cola, which adds up to a little over 200 liters (52 gallons).

There are about 25 million children that are overweight in the U.S. or at risk for becoming obese. Luzier and colleagues suggest that there is an increase in cases of obesity among families of low socioeconomic status. Among Mexican Americans, the statistics accounted for 44% of children with obesity and comparing that with Caucasian which were 29%. The

Body Mass Index (BMI) is body fat measured by a person’s weight and height. A BMI between 25 and 29.9 is considered overweight and a BMI of 30 or higher is considered obese. For the past years, there has been an escalation in weight gain in the United States and the number continue to rise. More than one third of US adults and about 17% of children and adolescents ages two to nineteen years are obese. American eats super-sized meals that are high in carbohydrates and fats. When you add this with an inactive lifestyle this results in weight gain. If a person is use to a rich lifestyle where food is concern they tend to

Obesity among the world has nearly doubled in the last twenty years, with the highest rate being in America. Nearly two-thirds of all the obese people in the world live in developing countries as of 2013. In the United States, 70.9 percent of men and 61.9 percent of women were overweight or obese, compared to 38 percent of men and 36.9 percent of women worldwide (OverweightandObesity). In adolescents, obesity is being seen at the youngest rates recorded. Obesity is

Obesity has recently become a serious social problem in Mexico. According to the researches, the obesity rate has tripled in Mexico in the past 30 years. Mexico 's obesity rate was less than 25% in 2000, and increased to 30% in 2012. In 2012, 69.5% of the Mexican population is overweight or obese (Kurtzleben, 2012). Barquera’s scientific researches found out that “obesity has a strong negative effect on the incidence of type-2 diabetes and adult mortality - losses of 2 to 3 years of life expectancy at age 50”. The health problems cause by obesity will reduce Mexico’s productivity and harm the economic growth in a very negative way. Thus, finding out the main causes of obesity and thinking of ways to eliminate obesity is crucial. Through exploration of popular press, websites, and academic journals, the main causes of the high obesity rate in Mexico were raveled.