Mexico to tackle the obesity with taxes on junk food and sugary drinks

Junk Food is a term for food that is of a little nutritional value and often high in fat, sugar, salt and calories. Junk foods typically contain high levels of calories from sugar or fat with little protein, vitamins or mineral.

Actually, Mexico has higher rates of adult obesity even than the United States (32.8% against 31.8%) and has become the standard bearer in the global fight against obesity.

The government has taken the long view: that the potential economic harm from reduced junk food and soft drink sales is insignificant compared with the damage if the obesity continues at the current rate.

The money raised is intended to go towards health programs and increased access to drinking water in schools.

I think that it’s a good thing to try to reduce the obesity and every idea is good to take! Nevertheless, lobbies are important actors in the economy and it’s difficult to fight against them. Several countries have tried but hadn’t successful…

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/nov/01/mexico-obesity-taxes-junk-food-sugary-drinks-exercise