Mexico surpasses US as most obese country

By Kim Young-jin

Mexico has surpassed the United States as the world’s fattest nation, with nearly one-third of its citizens considered obese, a United Nations study recently found.

According to the study by the UN Food and Agricultural Organization, some 32.8 percent of Mexicans are obese. This was higher than the 31.8 percent obesity rate among Americans.

Even more worrisome were findings that a whopping 70 percent of Mexicans are overweight and childhood obesity figures have tripled over the last decade. The report noted malnutrition and obesity are closely linked.

"The same people who are malnourished are the ones who are becoming obese," said Abelardo Avila a physician with Mexico's National Nutrition Institute, according to the Daily Mail.

"In the poor classes we have obese parents and malnourished children. The worst thing is the children are becoming programmed for obesity. It's a very serious epidemic."

Experts said the problem is partly caused by Mexicans moving from rural to urban areas and leading more sedentary lifestyles, while consuming high-calorie, processed foods.

The report came after the country launched its National Crusade Against Hunger, which aims to improve food insecurity among millions of at-risk Mexicans.