Obesity and Diabetes in Mexico

It can be a surprise to first-time visitors to this country to see how heavy most Mexicans are. It seems to be a normal part of the culture. The diet here doesn't tend to include a lot of vegetables. Sugary bottled drinks (you know the brand names) are widespread. According to an article in the Guadalajara Colony Reporter, a 2005 survey found 70 percent of Mexicans to be obese.

So there is also a lot of diabetes here, diagnosed and not. According to that same article, Mexico has the highest rate in the world of Type II diabetes in children in the world and the second highest adult rate in the world. The health care system here is being strained by the needs of these people.

So why am I writing about this? When I saw the article, I was moved by it. Members of my family have had diabetes, and the desire to not develop it is one of the things that motivates me to exercise and to eat moderately, at least part of the time! Including Thanksgiving. We're doing a simple one at home with friends. The frozen turkey from Chihuahua is thawing in the fridge.