Poor nutrition is contributing to a steep rise in obesity and aliments such as diabetes and hypertension, according to the latest Encuesta Nacional de Salud y Nutrición (National Health and Nutrition Survey or ENSANUT).
Three-quarters of Mexicans over age 20 can now be considered obese, the study shows. Obesity increased from 71.3 percent of the population in 2012, to 75.2 percent in 2018. In that period diabetes rose by 10.3 percent, with 8.6 million Mexicans now afflicted with the disease. More than 15 million people are diagnosed with hypertension.
Hypertension rates are highest in the states of Campeche (26.1 percent of the adult population), Sonora (24.6 percent), Veracruz (23.6 percent), Chihuahua (22.6 percent) y Coahuila (22.4 percent).
The ENSANUT study showed that 29 percent of Mexicans do less than 2.5 hours of exercise each week, and an additional 17 percent less than seven hours.
Hugo López Gatell, federal sub-secretary of Health Promotion and Prevention, said that half of all deaths in Mexico can now be associated with poor nutrition, in particular the excessive consumption of fats, sugars and salt. Life expectancy rates are falling because of the poor diets, he warned.