A significant portion, over one-third, of the school going children in Mexico struggle with overweight or obesity issues
Mexico's Ongoing Battle Against Childhood Obesity
In a bid to combat the rising issue of childhood obesity, a nationwide ban on junk food in schools has been in place for four months. The ban, approved last year, went into effect on March 31. Despite this recent policy, preliminary data from a government health study in 2025 shows that nearly 40% of school-age children remain overweight or obese, with 18% classified as obese.
The study, presented by President Claudia Sheinbaum during her daily press conference on Monday, covered nearly 4 million public elementary school children screened between March and July 2025. Only about 50% of children are within a healthy weight range; the rest are either overweight (about 18.5%), obese (18.3%), or underweight (13.5%).
The problem of overweight and obesity increases with age, with 45% of sixth-graders being assessed as overweight compared to 33% of first-graders. The study also found that 55% of the children screened had cavities, and 35% had impaired vision.
The government's Healthy Living (Vida Saludable) program, managed by the Mexican Social Security Institute (IMSS) and the Education Ministry, aims to assess students' health, offer referrals to clinics for checkups as needed, and promote a healthy lifestyle, featuring a nutritious diet and exercise. As a result, 1,986,117 of the children screened have received referrals for free medical attention.
Schools are required to phase out food and beverages that are high in salt, sugar, calories, or fat, including donuts, carbonated drinks, French fries, chips and snacks, candy, ice cream, and flavored milk. President Sheinbaum stated that the program is important because it focuses on prevention and building a healthy life, not just providing healthcare when someone gets sick.
School administrators who violate the ban risk fines of up to 5,450 pesos (US $290). The objective of the program is to continue until 12 million children have been evaluated. With overweight and obesity rates still high, especially in states like Campeche, Quintana Roo, Tabasco, and the Yucatán Peninsula, it is clear that the need for continued and complementary public health measures beyond the ban itself remains crucial.
[1] Government Health Study [2] President's Press Conference
[1] The preliminary results of the recent government health study reveal that nearly 40% of school-age children in Mexico are still overweight or obese.
[2] During her daily press conference, President Claudia Sheinbaum presented the results of the government health study, covering over 4 million public elementary school children.
[3] The Healthy Living (Vida Saludable) program, initiated by the Mexican Social Security Institute (IMSS) and the Education Ministry, aims to promote a healthy lifestyle and assess students' health, leading to 1,986,117 children receiving referrals for free medical attention.
[4] Beyond the policy banning junk food in schools, the need for continued public health measures, such as education on nutrition and exercise, remains crucial in combating the high rates of overweight and obesity, particularly in states like Campeche, Quintana Roo, Tabasco, and the Yucatán Peninsula.
