Mexico to Combat Childhood Obesity in Schools

The Mexican government has launched the Vive Saludable, Vive Feliz (Live Healthy, Live Happy) strategy in elementary schools nationwide, aiming to promote children's health through a comprehensive initiative that includes a national health census and the formal prohibition of junk food in educational institutions.

President Claudia Sheinbaum emphasized that the initiative is designed to safeguard and enhance children's health in schools. As part of the program, a national health census will begin on March 12, with 738 brigades composed of 11 specialists from the Ministry of Health and IMSS. Mario Delgado, Minister of Education (SEP), highlighted that the census will cover all public and private elementary schools, involving teachers, parents, and the broader school community.

Data will be collected through a custom-developed IMSS and Digital Transformation Agency application on tablets, ensuring a streamlined and standardized process. Delgado clarified that all data will be gathered only with parental consent to establish a comprehensive health diagnosis of students across the country.

The census will be conducted in four stages. First, students' height and weight will be recorded. Next, a vision assessment using the Snellen test will be conducted with support from IMSS nurses. Additionally, students will receive guidance on proper tooth-brushing techniques, and fluoride will be applied as part of an oral health campaign. Finally, representatives from the Ministry of Health will provide a session on healthy behaviors and lifestyle habits to promote long-term well-being.

Each student’s results will be provided to their family, along with recommendations for nutritional guidance at family health clinics, vision care at Salud Digna centers, and specialized dental care. "The impact of this initiative will be seen for decades to come, fostering healthier generations of Mexicans," Delgado stated.

As part of this federal strategy, the sale of junk food in schools will also be prohibited. This decision follows guidelines issued in late 2024 by SEP and the Ministry of Health, which regulate the preparation, distribution, and sale of processed foods and beverages in schools. Regulations will be enforced on March 29, 2025.

To support the transition, President Sheinbaum announced the development of a special guide for school cooperatives, outlining permissible and prohibited food items. She underscored the educational aspect of the initiative, expecting gradual positive results. "Parents will not be penalized for sending junk food to their children, but through education and awareness, they will eventually stop doing so. The goal is to ensure that only healthy food is sold in school cooperatives," Sheinbaum explained.

Reactions from the private sector have been mixed. Liliana Bahena, Coordinator of the Mi Escuela Saludable (My Healthy School) program, at El Poder del Consumidor, noted that legal challenges have already been filed by food companies, including Coca-Cola and Maison Kayser, as well as restaurant chains with agreements to operate within university campuses. "We expect resistance. These companies will defend their profits and try to weaken the government's initiative as much as possible," Bahena stated.

Conversely, Francisco Cervantes, President, Business Coordinating Council (CCE), highlighted significant private-sector collaboration in implementing the program. "We are actively working in committees, and we are also showcasing agri-food products that have improved formulas with added vitamins and nutrients that benefit children," he said.

David Kershenobich, Minister of Health, emphasized that this strategy aligns with the Nueva Escuela Mexicana (New Mexican School) model, which prioritizes not just disease treatment but also prevention. According to the latest National Health and Nutrition Survey (ENSANUT), approximately 5.7 million children aged 5 to 11 and 10.4 million adolescents aged 12 to 19 suffer from obesity in Mexico.