Resumen

BARRIENTOS-PEREZ, Margarita  y  FLORES-HUERTA, Samuel. Is obesity an individual social medical problem? Public policies for prevention. Bol. Med. Hosp. Infant. Mex. [online]. 2008, vol.65, n.6, pp.639-651. ISSN 1665-1146.

Scientific information is available on the relationship between diet, physical activity and chronic-degenerative diseases. To prevent overweight and obesity in childhood, coordinated interventions including private and government sectors are required in an ecological context. It is necessary to transform obesogenic environments where children live, as well as to change their dietary habits and physical activity. At present, in many families the intake of simple sugars and saturated lipids is high, whereas fruits and vegetables are much less included in the diet. On the other hand, sedentarism and obesity have become a civilization symbol for society, and very few are aware of obesity risks and consequences on human health. The ENSANUT 2006, a national survey on nutrition and health, it is proposed as a tool to design public health policies to prevent obesity by modifying, when possible, community environment, and by transforming the unhealthy atmosphere of school into a healthy one. Healthful life styles must be taught and inherited from parents to their children. No country has under control this epidemic; however, there is a good expectative from experiences of countries such as Germany, Great Britain, Spain and Chile. The importance to put into practice the guidance system for healthy beverage consumption, especially in schools, and to regulate food and beverage advertising in mass media is highlighted for Mexico. The WHO global strategy on diet, physical activity and health is suggested as the guide to be adopted by the Mexican Health Ministry to perform important changes in dietary and physical activity, and to include all social actors to prevent overweight and obesity.

Palabras llave : Obesity; life style; prevention; public policy; framework.

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