Childhood health is a big concern for many families. To better understand this, a major effort was launched by the federal government, the Mexican Social Security Institute (IMSS), and the Ministry of Public Education (SEP). They introduced the “Live Healthy, Live Happy” strategy. As part of this, they surveyed 4 million children in primary schools across the nation. This large-scale study aimed to gather the first detailed numbers on childhood obesity in schools. It also sought to build a support system for families dealing with this issue, which affects many people of all ages.
The health teams worked hard from March 12 to July 16. They visited over 27,000 public primary schools nationwide. During these health days, they didn’t just collect data. They also provided direct, all-around care for each of the 4 million students. They measured the children’s height and weight. The results showed that half of the children evaluated were outside a healthy weight range. Specifically, 13.5% were underweight. Another 18.5% fell into the overweight category, and 18.3% met the criteria for obesity. Beyond weight, these sessions also checked children’s dental and visual health. A startling 50% of the children had cavities, and 25% were found to have vision problems.
Building Healthier Futures
This strategy goes beyond just measuring health problems like childhood obesity. It aims to change the entire system to create a healthier way of life that brings well-being to everyone. The goal is to start early, teaching children about good nutrition, physical activity, and other elements connected to overall health. This means moving past just looking at survey results. It involves designing public health policies that both correct problems when childhood obesity is found and prevent it by removing risk factors. One clear example of this is the ban on selling junk food inside and near primary schools nationwide.
Beyond the Scale: Deeper Health Concerns
President Sheinbaum discussed these figures during her morning program. She shared deep worry about the levels of childhood obesity found in primary schools. She explained that it is not just about a child’s weight, even though being overweight can make everyday activities like running or playing difficult. There are many other serious consequences, especially for children. President Sheinbaum pointed out that if a child has obesity, it is likely the family also struggles with weight. This calls for checking other health risks too. These include conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, and kidney or liver problems. There are also effects that, while not fully studied, can impact children’s development.
The Secretary of Public Education and the Director of the Mexican Social Security Institute also confirmed the widespread nature of other health issues alongside obesity. The fact that 50% of children had cavities and 25% had vision problems highlights broader health challenges. All these findings help improve how health services are provided and how prevention efforts are planned for school-aged children. The ultimate goal is to protect the health of children today, ensuring they grow into healthy citizens of tomorrow.