Nutritionists: Here is the challenge!

Faced with increasingly high numbers of obesity, overweight and diabetes in Mexico, where are the nutritionists who have not “fought” enough and contributed “even more” to achieve a significant reduction in these conditions? The challenge is great. Especially because to achieve a significant change in the change of such deep-rooted bad eating habits and erroneous beliefs about food that have been part of families for so many generations, it will be necessary to have the support of the families themselves, the schools, etc. So that together we can stop obesity from an early age. But, in this blog, we will refer specifically to health professionals for their great contribution to solving the problem. Mexico needs, first of all, nutritionists, to save many Mexicans sick with obesity. Mainly children and adolescents. Before obesity causes even worse diseases in them. Such as diabetes, heart conditions and certain types of cancers. Among many others. *According to the most recent statistics, Mexico ranks first in obesity in the world. The government itself has recognized it: “Mexico is experiencing an obesity epidemic.” 73% of adults and 35% of children and adolescents are overweight or obese. That is, in total 60.6 million people (48% of Mexicans at the time the study was carried out) suffer from this condition. The above figures mean that 7 out of every 10 adults, 4 out of every 10 young people and 1 out of every 3 children in Mexico are overweight or obese. According to data from the National Health and Nutrition Survey (ENSANUT) carried out in 2016. These figures contrast with those of 1975. When only 1.9% of minors in Mexico were overweight or obese. The country was then ranked 41st in that category. In adults, the rate went from 13.5% to 34% in women, and from 6% to 25% in men. Obesity having become a public health problem that triggered other more serious conditions, on November 14, 2016, the federal Ministry of Health issued, for the first time in the country’s history, two health emergency declarations due to diabetes and obesity. However, the problem continues. Different sectors complain about the lack of effective government strategies and policies to combat and reduce these diseases. At that time, one of the actions proposed by the government was to work hard on the timely detection of obesity. And act in time in the treatment of that disease to prevent other irreversible conditions from being generated. But, despite that, the forecasts are not encouraging. International organizations predict that the number of obese and overweight people will continue to increase not only in our country. If not also in others like the United States. Something that will not only worsen the health situation for the population. But it will become a real “headache” for the government. And for this year alone, it was estimated that diseases caused by overweight and obesity would generate an expense for the public health system of 100 billion pesos. Which will increase in the following years, according to estimates by the National Institute of Public Health. *That is why it is important for nutritionists to take a proactive role in this problem. You are the ones who can help the most in the solution. Especially at the stage of early detection of the disease. To treat it in its beginnings and stop the development of other conditions. Although the government should promote a strategy to guarantee the presence of more nutritionists throughout the country. With the specific task of quickly detecting and treating obesity. Especially in children and adolescents, nutritionists themselves could begin by going beyond mere consultation. Reporting cases and following up on those who can until the weight gain is under control. The National Institute of Public Health assures that 25% of children with obesity or overweight reach adulthood being obese. And from there the chain of damage continues. Diabetes, kidney problems, cardiovascular diseases, etc. Therefore, one of the most important challenges that nutritionists have is to “act” to try to stop the problem of overweight, obesity and diabetes in the country. And to prevent them and thus prevent the numbers from continuing to increase. What is clear is that, due to the high numbers of overweight in our country, the intervention of nutritionists is very necessary.  Starting with children, because at that age it is easier to achieve changes in eating habits. And thus avoid future diseases that are caused by poor diet. We are sure that with the help of nutritionists it can be achieved. If you want to know more about this topic, click here.