Health Issues and Obesity amongst Children in Mexico - Case Study Example

Obesity Introduction Obesity refers to the accumulation of fat in the body in amounts that are considered risky to the health of an individual (Medline, 2014). Measuring the amount of fat an individual has is usually an uphill task. The recent medical standard used is the body mass index (BMI). This is the calculation that uses height and weight of an individual. The weight of the individual in kilograms is divided by the height. A BMI of 30 or more indicates that the individual is obese and that below 30 but more than 25, overweight. Another methods used to measure amount of fat include measuring the thickness of the fat layer that exists under the skin. Some health providers can also send electricity signals through a person’s body to determine the same. Obesity is a health risk factor since it contributes to a number of chronic illnesses ranging from cardiovascular ailments to diabetes, stroke, arthritis, and cancer (Medline, 2014). It is usually due to consumption of more calories than those used. Other factors that may contribute to it include the genetic organization of an individual as well as being inactive and eating foods that are high in fat. Initially, obesity was considered to be a problem of only those who are well off or living in first world countries. Currently, obesity cases are rampant in middle and low classes as well. This study aims to analyze obesity in Mexico and dwell deep on how majority of those who are obese fall in the children category. Obesity in Mexico A new OECD report indicates that the rate of obesity in Mexico is already high and is still on the rise. It comes second after the USA and it is high time that Mexico starts investing majorly in prevention programmes that will address this menace. In 2012, approximately 32.4% of the adults in Mexico were obese yet only two years prior, the figure stood at 24%. As for the children, a third of them are also obese (OECD, 2013b). The government of Mexico has however, taken steps to address this epidemic and has developed a package of measures to fight obesity. The package has three aspects and they include prevention and promotion of quality living standards, medical care as well as regulation on high sugar and fat content foods (OECD, 2013b). The regulations include increased taxes on the said foods as well as limited advertisements. Effective and efficient implementation of this package will cost up to $12 per individual in Mexico (OECD, 2013b). As much as it is a costly move, it is totally worth it since the health of a majority of the populace is at risk. Obesity amongst Children in Mexico There are a number of factors that cause obesity and they range from genetic, environmental to psychological. Obesity runs in families indicating that it is passed genetically. It is also important to note that families share a diet and lifestyle that can make them all obese. The environment is one major factor that can lead to obesity (Williams & Frühbeck, 2009). Whatever an individual consumes as well as the amount of physical activity conducted by the individual is a chief determinant of obesity. It is fortunate that some of these environmental factors are controllable unlike genetic factors (Williams & Frühbeck, 2009). Psychological factors such as emotions influence eating habits of an individual. Some people eat a lot whenever they are experiencing boredom, anger or sadness. Binge eating problem is also common amongst some individuals hence they eat more without proper control. Moreover, some drugs such as steroids and some illness can lead to obesity as well. It is also evident that our society as well as media has shown that girls have to be thin. Boys have a number of acceptable body images compared to girls. This puts pressure on the girls who usually end up developing eating disorders. These disorders usually contribute to binge eating without proper regulations as well bulimia, which is risky to the children. Obesity amongst children has proved to be on the increase not only in Mexico but globally as well. In the US, survey indicates that the number of obese children has been increasing dating back to the 1960s (OECD, 2013a, p. 54). Considering the fact that there is a high prevalence of obesity amongst the adults, a research was conducted to identify whether the same problem affected the children as well. In 2000, the Ministry of health in Mexico conducted a research on the entire state’s children populace. The research showed that children living in the Metropolitan area of Mexico City and those closest to the US have the most cases of obesity whereas those living in the Southern and Central states have the lowest cases. Those at the Metropolitan area and Northern states have higher prevalence’s because of the influence from North America. There is the availability of soft drinks and high fat foods as well as other international foods. While the population there views this as improved standards of life, they fail to realize that these energy dense foods are posing a danger to their health and that of their children (OECD, 2013a). Cultural influence ranges from increased need for automobiles as well as television watching. Such cultural perception is making the prevention and management of obesity in Mexico an uphill task. This issue needs attention since the overweight children will grow in adolescents then adults and continue with the obesity trend (Better Health Channel, 2014). Risk Factors, Consequences and Mental Health Risk factors that children are exposed to include food choices, lack of physical activity, lifestyle, overweight parents as well as genetics (Better Health Channel, 2014). Once children constantly consume sugary or high fat food, they tend to be obese. The lifestyle of these children who watch television all the time and lack physical activity contributes to overweight problems hence obesity. Some overweight parents seem to mind less about the likelihood of their children being obese gene hence do not control their eating patterns (Better Health Channel, 2014). Genetics also poses a risk to children and lineages that have such genes should be in the frontline in regulating what they consume. Obesity in childhood stages also shifts to adulthood and that is where there are more consequences. Type 2 diabetes, which was commonly evident in adults only, is now diagnosed amongst children. Some children may develop eating disorder such as being bulimia and binge eating (Better Health Channel, 2014). Orthopaedic as well as respiratory disorders are also common amongst this population. In addition, some children develop sleep apnea; a condition that gives them breathing complications as they sleep hence interrupts their resting. Finally, cardiomyopathys as well as liver problems have also been diagnosed amongst the obese kids (Better Health Channel, 2014). Obesity usually relates with mental health of the obese children and adolescents. It affects how these children view themselves as well as how they interact with others (Better Health Channel, 2014). Issues of low self-esteem are evident amongst these children and it goes along way into affecting a range of life skills. They may be also discriminated by other children who will make fun of them as well as bully them around. This will therefore affect their academics as well as how they perceive life. Some may even contemplate suicide or have other mental problems such as depression. Analysing Mexico Position in the World While other OECD countries provide universal coverage for some health services, Mexico and United States do not. Much of the population in these two nations is still uninsured hence creating a setback when it comes to health sector development. Mexico has however continued to insure most of its populace and now around only 10% has remained. In the United States, 15% of its population was still uninsured as per 2011 (Brennan, 2013, p. ix). Currently, the Affordable Care Act has enabled it expand further in health insurance coverage. Health spending paid directly by the patients also varies amongst these countries. While the average is at 20%, patients in Netherlands and France pay less than 10% whereas those in Chile, Mexico, and Korea foot up to over 35%. More than 85milllion people living in the OECD countries have had diabetes in 2011 (OECD, 2013c). In Mexico, more than 15% of adults have diabetes whereas in Belgium, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden, less than 5% of adults suffer from the same (OECD, 2013c, p. 1). All the OECD countries have registered a reduction in infant mortality rates and are now at the OECD average level (OECD, 2013c). This comparison displays the position of Mexico in the world. Mexico has to increase efficiency in the health sector especially in terms of ailments like diabetes as well as obesity rates. It currently stands second after the United States when it comes to obesity (OECD, 2013c, p. 6). The future of health provision in Mexico is quite promising. This is evident from the measures already put in place by the government to prevent obesity. Unemployment rates in Mexico are also decreasing hence indicating that the quality of living will improve. The people of Mexico will be able to access medical services and cases of infant mortality, obesity, and diabetes will decrease. These factors show that the health sector in future Mexico will be of high standards. According to the WHO global health tables’ life expectancy, as per 2012, the life expectancy at birth men stood at 73 for men and that of women at 78. Life expectancy of women at age 60 was at 23 and men are 21 (WHO, 2014). In addition, health life expectancy at birth was at 65 for the men and 69 for the females. Over the years, life expectancy rates have been increasing hence indicating that the health systems in Mexico are of standard (WHO, 2014). This is evident in the life expectancy table because when compared to 2000 and 1990, there is an increase. Life expectancy at birth once stood at 72 and 77 for the male and female respectively in 2000. In 2000, life expectancy at age 60 was 21 for the male and 23 for the females (WHO, 2014). The healthy life expectancy was 65 for the male and 69 for the females. Compared to the values of 2012, it is evident that there is no drop indicated. The values either have increased or have stagnated. Constant indicates that the health sector has to take extra steps in ensuring effective health care. Health Events and System in Mexico There has been a variety of health events in Mexico. The swine flu outbreak seemed like a test to the health systems of Mexico (Whyte, 2009). This is because of the fact that a number of people visited the hospital for diagnosis as well as treatment. In addition, case of diseases such as tuberculosis and malaria are also prevalent evident from the fact that there are about 105 million suffering from this diseases (Whyte 2009). This has posed a challenge for the health sector because the numbers are high considering that it is still evolving. To add on, the World Health Organization has also listed diabetes then as a leading cause of death in Mexico. Other ailments include heart and liver disease (Whyte, 2009). Another key event is the influenza crisis, which caused so much pressure on the health systems in Mexico (Whyte, 2009). It was tough for the population as well especially the underprivileged people who make less money and can hardly visit quality health facilities. This event has brought out the inequality of the health systems in Mexico. The health systems range from small, private systems as well as huge universal health insurance programmed that has mixed up funding (Whyte, 2009). There is inequality in this range of services since the health providers are paid differently hence offer different qualities of services. Obese children and adolescents in Mexico can visit the range of medical facilities to get expertise advice on how to control their weight as well as eating disorders. It is however unfortunate that not all these children have insurance to constantly visit the hospital. Some children are from under privileged backgrounds and considering the disparity in the quality of services provided, they may not benefit as much. Evolution and Constitution of the Health Systems in Mexico The health system of Mexico evolved along the lines of other Latin American countries. In the early 1980s, recession experienced in Mexico, was coupled with unemployment, and decreased health quality as well accumulating national debt (OECD, 2013). The World Bank was willing to help if only Mexico reduced expenditure on health and education. This led to the First Health Care decentralization Reform of 1983 to 1994. The second reform was from 1994 onwards and the government realized that to win the elections, they had to let the public participate more and they had to get rid of the traditional authoritarianism hence it focused on decentralization. They increased health funding to states as well as the decision-making powers (OECD, 2013). In 1985, the minister of health founded the private health foundation funded by transnational cooperation’s in Mexico. The third health care reform known as the system for social Protection for Health was formed (OECD, 2013). Improvement in the health systems of Mexico is a promising indicator of a better future. As the systems continue to evolve, it brings more hope that the number of children and adolescents with obesity will decrease in the future. Improved medical attention and services will ensure that they receive medical advice on how to overcome the challenge. The overweight will also have a chance to get rid of the extra fat through the various techniques that will be developed then. Health and Disease around the World It is evident that health Care and disease varies across the world. Developed nations provide universal health care except the United States. The disparity is promoted by the costs required, social, and cultural as well as political and economic differences amongst the nations of the world (Shah, 2011). Developed nations ensure universal health through systems run by the government, organizations run privately, as well as private insurance companies. These developed nations are geographically located in good climate and instances of diseases such as malaria are rare (Shah, 2011). Diseases heard of in these regions include diabetes and obesity. The United States does not offer universal insurance to its citizens and a population of America goes without insurance. It however provides emergency services as well programs that suit the elderly, military service as well as the disabled and the children. Developing countries make efforts to provide universal health care. They are however faced with limitations such as insufficient resources, mismanagement of funds, as well as health inequality (Shah, 2011). In some developing countries, the health systems have improved but only those who can afford receive the good quality attention. The poor cannot afford the same hence remain in poverty and diseases heightening the health inequality. Corruption also cripples the efforts of improving health services since they are fewer resources, which prompt people to be corrupt. Brain drain is also rampant since the trained medical personnel go to work in developed nations in order to get better pay and have an improved way of living (Shah, 2011). They leave their poor countries without health providers to offer services to the poor. This leads to a difference between the number of health worker and the large population that needs medical help. It is unfortunate that people in developing countries suffer from more diseases because of the poor geography of their location. Some of these areas are dry, overpopulated and risk of spread of disease is high. They encounter ailments such as malaria, tuberculosis and they are currently facing conditions that were considered for the wealth much as diabetes and obesity (Shah 2011). Obese children and adolescents in Mexico end up being obese even in adulthood. This is because of the disparity evident in the health systems. Factors such as brain drain and corruption have made the medical services poor in quality hence cannot give much help to them. Chronic diseases such as diabetes affect this population because they do not receive proper medical attention prior. They therefore grow from being overweight to being obese even in adulthood. Promotion and Protection of global population and The Health systems Health of global populace has improve evident from the fact that over the ears, there has been a reduction in morbidity and mortality from infectious diseases that were the leading causes of death before the 20th century. These ailments include influence, waterborne and forborne diseases as well as polio. Currently however, the health systems face challenges as they try to fight some of the chronic diseases that are becoming prevalent. These chronic diseases are such as heart disease, stroke, cancer and diabetes. This brings out the need to protect and promote the health of the global population. It is necessary since good health ensures the country continues to develop and vice versa. It is therefore necessary to address the primary health requirements of the population in order to achieve sustainable development. It is important to invest in prevention programmes to prevent further expenses on the treatment phase. Promotion and protection should integrate with education and, get aids from nongovernmental organizations.In the OECD; there are 20 health care systems. They have however been classified into five categories and they include the National Health Service, the Social Health Insurance, the Etatist Social health Insurance, National Health Insurance as well as the private health systems (Bohm et al. 2013). Policies as well health systems in Mexico are making efforts in protecting citizens. Constant promotions on the importance of healthy diet as well as physical activity are done. Parents learn from this and start training their children while they are still young to prevent them from becoming overweight. Policies such as the ban on advertisements on unhealthy foods have eased the problem of obesity. This is because the children are not lured anymore into consuming the high fat and sugary foods, which can be addictive to some of them. Historical variations in international health & illness Inequalities evident in the health sector are due to the difference on social class, gender as well as ethnicity (PHAST, 2011). This difference has led to a disparity in the health sector in terms of morbidity, disability as well as life expectancy and mortality. Historical variation are also evident in the health sector and some people have varied outcomes because of the places where their come from. This is evident from the fact that men and women born in Caribbean have high rates of mortality due to stroke and coronary heart disease (PHAST 2011). These born in west and South Africa tend to have high mortality rates generally. Individuals from south Asia have high mortality rates from coronary heart disease and stroke as well (PHAST, 2011). These variations could be from the fact that it is genetic. Most of these chronic diseases are genetic hence affects a group of people from the same lineage. National History on some health issues could provide answers to the increase of obesity incidents in Mexico. The lifestyle habits are constantly passed to the younger generations and most of them become overweight just like their parents. Influence from America has also changed what they eat and they end up becoming obese. It is important to note that earlier on, Mexico did not have many obesity cases as if it is now. This therefore proves that the influence along the way is partially responsible for the level of obesity in Mexico. Impact of cultural, political, demographic, and environmental variables on the health Health attributes usually depend on culture of an individual since they determine the beliefs one has about a specific disease and its treatment. It is necessary that heath providers be trained about the varied culture because they also influence health practices (Vaughn, Jacquez & Baker, 2009, p. 64). Political variables also have an impact on the part of providing quality infrastructure as well as insurance policies for the citizens. Another important factor is demography. Different individuals can afford to visit different health facilities. It is therefore a variable as it has heightened the disparity in health sector. Finally environmental variables on health include the fact different people living in different location may encounter different diseases and infections. Some people may encounter malaria because they live in hot regions and some respiratory problems because they live in areas with adverse wet climate. Various cultural and environmental variables influence lifestyle amongst the children and adolescents. Most of those who have televisions as well as video games tend to be in the house most of time hence lack exercise and become obese in the process. They are different compared to children who play outside and exercise. Differences in what they eat also show how those that eat health foods are of normal weight whereas those who eat sugary and fatty foods as well as beverages are obese. Demography also explains why children living in some parts of Mexico are obese if compared to others. Their demography puts them close to America where there is alteration in their way of living. Conclusion From the analysis it is evident that obesity is not caused only be genetic factors. The study proves that even lifestyle can cause obesity depending on what an individual consumes. One may consume foods high in sugars and fats and some may consume large amounts of food hence leading to obesity. Moreover, an individual can be obese due to lack of enough physical activity. Obesity poses a risk to health hence deserves maximum attention. Work Cited Better Health Channel, 2014. Obesity in Children-Causes. [Pdf] Better Health Channel. Available at: [Accessed on 10Th November 2014]. Bohm, K., Gotze, R., Schemid, A., Landwehr, C. & Rothgang, H., 2013. Five types of OECD healthcare systems: empirical results of a deductive classification. Health Policy, [e-journal] 113(3). Abstract only. Available at: [Accessed on 10Th November, 2014] Brennan, M., 2013. Free Clinics: Local Responses to Health Care Needs. Baltimore, Maryland: JHU Press, 2013. Print. Medline, 2014. Obesity. [Online] Available at: (Accessed on 10Th November 2014]. OECD Indicators, 2013a. Health at a Glance. 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