Although obesity and chronic diseases are often associated with high income groups, at least one study has found that overweight and obesity in Mexico declines as socioeconomic status increases (c). Under-nutrition continues to be a threat to children's health, and is a more prevalent condition among some groups, such as indigenous sub-populations (d). Data from the National Survey on Health and Nutrition 2006 (ENSANUT 2006e) indicates that progress is being made to reduce under-nutrition among children less than 5 years of age as well as school-aged children aged 5 to 11 since 1988. However during the period 1999 to 2006 overweight and obesity have increased by almost 40% among children aged 5 to 11 years of age (33% for girls and 52% for boys). The combined prevalence of overweight and obesity among school-aged children (aged 5 to 11) is 26%, while the prevalence is less than 8% by region and less than 6% nation-wide for children aged less than 5 years of age. Overweight, and obesity in particular, appear to increase as children become older, and especially for boys.

   To design appropriate interventions, physical activity and nutrition programs, and to promote healthy body weights, more data are needed to provide insight into the complexity of childhood obesity, under-nutrition and the consequences of the nutrition-transition, including conducting focal studies among population subgroups and among different regions within Mexico. A goal of the CAMBIO Research Network is to make such types of data more accessible and to promote links among researchers involved in these types of valuable studies.