Mexico May Overtake US as Fattest Country

Obesity expands south of the border
By Caroline Zimmerman,  Newser Staff
Posted Mar 24, 2008 11:23 AM CDT
Mexico May Overtake US as Fattest Country
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)

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. (More Mexico stories.)

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