SAN DIEGO (Border Report) — Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum announced her support this week for a campaign to ban the sale of junk food and highly processed snacks in schools.
She wants the sale of these items curtailed as a way to end Mexico’s problems with obesity.
According to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, Mexico has passed the United States as the most obese country in the world.
The prevalence of overweight and obese children is 16.7% in preschool children, 26.2% in school children, and 30% in adolescents.
In schools throughout Mexico, it’s very common to have small stores on campuses selling food and drinks to students.
“I’m working with the Secretary of Education and the Secretary of Health and state governors to finalize specifications when it comes to food items available at schools,” Sheinbaum said. “It’s a simple guide showing what can and cannot be sold at schools.”
The president said that for many years, teachers, parents and administrators have been asking for a new model when it comes to nutrition at schools, demanding healthier alternatives.
In September of last year, guidelines were issued and schools were given six months to comply.
As of March 29, the grace period will end mandating what food items can be sold or made available for student consumption.
New rules will also be implemented when it comes to food and drink preparation along with sanitation guidelines.
Sheinbaum says teams from the Mexico’s Secretary of Health will fan out across the country next month to conduct a census documenting students’ eating habits, weight, size and overall health.
All this information will be channeled back to the schools and parents.
Education campaigns will also be launched to teach children about proper nutrition and healthy eating habits.
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