Childhood Obesity in Mexico

Childhood obesity is one of the most pressing public health challenges facing Mexico today. Over recent decades, rates of overweight and obesity among children and adolescents have risen steadily, affecting the health and well-being of millions of young people across the country. According to the most recent National Health and Nutrition Survey (ENSANUT 2020-2022), approximately 7-8% of children under 5 years of age, 37.3% of school-aged children (5-11 years), and 41.1% of adolescents (12-19 years) are living with overweight or obesity. These figures indicate a sustained increase over time and underscore the urgent need for effective action.

Childhood obesity is far more than a matter of body weight. It is linked to a wide range of immediate and long-term health consequences, including poor mental wellbeing, reduced quality of life, and an increased risk of chronic conditions such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and some cancers later in life. Children and adolescents living with obesity are also more likely to remain obese in adulthood, perpetuating health inequalities across the life course. 
 

The impact extends beyond health. Obesity imposes a substantial economic burden on individuals, families, healthcare systems, and society through increased healthcare costs, reduced productivity, and lost opportunities for healthy development. Addressing childhood obesity is therefore not only a health priority but also a social and economic imperative.

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The COMO project

The Childhood and Adolescent Obesity in Mexico: Evidence, Challenges and Opportunities (COMO) Project was established to support this effort. By synthesising and generating high-quality evidence, the project seeks to improve understanding of the causes, consequences, costs, and potential solutions to childhood obesity in Mexico. Through collaboration with researchers, policymakers, practitioners, and communities, COMO aims to support evidence-informed decisions that can help create healthier futures for Mexican children and adolescents.

Tackling childhood obesity requires more than individual behaviour change. It demands coordinated action across food systems, education, healthcare, urban environments, and social policies to ensure every child has the opportunity to grow up healthy and to thrive.