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International
Association for the Study of Obesity  |
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Measure
your Body Mass Index...(BMI) |
Unraveling
the Emerging Childhood Obesity Epidemic in Mexico: The Nutrition
Transition
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| Non-communicable chronic diseases such as diabetes, cancers, and cardiovascular diseases, among others, are rapidly replacing infectious diseases as the major burden on global health. Worldwide, the greatest recent mortality caused by chronic disease occurred in low and lower-middle income countries (World Health Organization, 2005a). While the number of deaths resulting from infectious diseases were considerable in lower-middle income countries, in low income nations such mortality was high and similar in magnitude to chronic disease mortality. These trends result in: (1) a double-burden on public health and health-care systems particularly in economically vulnerable countries where much of the world's population lives; and (2) significant global mortality which may be preventable through lifestyle changes, as many chronic diseases may be attributable to risk factors such as smoking, physical inactivity, and poor diet. | |
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| As many low and low-middle income countries have undergone rapid urbanization and economic development in the past half-century, transitions have occurred with respect to demography, nutrition, and epidemiology (collectively referred to as 'nutrition transition'). The adoption of new technologies has increased exposure to novel foreign cultures and ideologies, goods, services, and lifestyles (often from the 'West'). New employment opportunities have led to changes from rural to urban lifestyles, from physically-demanding jobs to more sedentary labour, and to more sedentary leisure time. Transportation has become altered to accommodate faster systems while displacing walking, cycling or other physical activities. Traditional diets based on indigenous staple grains, local produce, and limited animal sources of protein have been replaced by simplified, nutrient-poor and highly processed foods containing large quantities of sugars and saturated fats. In countries undergoing such a transition, changes in body composition are observed as overweight and obesity become prevalent and may coexist with under-nutrition. | |
Mexico
is considered a middle-income country by the World Bank (World Bank,
2005b); however, extreme inequality exists among rich
versus poor, urban versus rural, north versus south, and among indigenous
versus other population groups. While Mexico has the highest per
capita income in Latin America, 53% of the country lives in poverty (living on less than $2 per day), while 24% is extremely poor (living
on less than $1 per day). This inequality exacerbates the dual burden
of simultaneously higher rates of under-nutrition and obesity. |
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As in other countries, the co-existence of childhood obesity and under-nutrition may be evidence of such a nutrition transition in Mexico. In order to design appropriate health interventions to reduce the negative changes in body composition and health, the determinants as well as the prevalence of both extremes in body weight need to be investigated and documented. |
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Our long-term goals are to increase research capacity and knowledge transfer, and to promote partnerships and collaborations. To achieve our goals, four key activities are being undertaken:
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