Childhood Obesity Crisis in Quintana Roo: Startling Rise and Prevention

Quintana Roo has seen an increase in obesity cases throughout 2024, with experts pointing to poor diets and sedentary lifestyles beginning in childhood as the primary causes. The National System of Epidemiological Surveillance (Sinave) reported 5089 new cases of obesity in the state between January and April 27, 2024. Women made up the majority of these cases, with 2843 reported instances.

The Ministry of Health data from 2023 suggests that one in four children in Quintana Roo is obese, ranking the state among the top six in the nation for childhood obesity. Observations in various Cancun primary schools confirm the prevalence of weight issues among students.

Idalia Ávila Valencia, a representative of the Cancun group "Fridas en Bici", points out that school-provided junk food options contribute to the problem, as they are often irresistible to children. Food biochemist engineer Lidia Chim Mex adds that processed foods loaded with preservatives, artificial colorings, and high sugar content can act as neurotoxins. These foods can interfere with hormone production and neural connections, disrupting focus, learning, behavior regulation, and even sleep patterns.

To combat this, Ávila Valencia suggests that children as young as six should start exercising, ideally cycling for at least an hour daily with parental supervision. Maintaining proper hydration and a balanced diet during these activities is crucial. She recommends eating fruits like watermelon, banana, and apple during exercise, along with protein-rich foods like pasta and rice. Chim Mex adds that a diet high in vegetables and lean meats like chicken is also important, along with proteins and farm foods, which provide essential amino acids.

These dietary and exercise habits are vital to combating obesity, which can lead to low physical stamina and other health issues. Sinave data shows that there were 6086 reported cases of obesity in Quintana Roo in the first quarter of 2023.