2nd to US in obesity, Mexico wants kids to slim down

MEXICO CITY (AFP) - Mexico, second in obesity in the world after the United States, wants its children to cut down on the soft drinks and fatty foods that have made them the chubbiest kids in Latin America.

Worried about the growing waistlines in schools, the public education ministry has launched a campaign to encourage youngsters to change their eating habits.

Mexicans are the world champions in soft drink consumption, guzzling down 163 litres of sweet bubbly drinks per capita every year, according to Consumer Power, an independent organization.

Food stands are everywhere on Mexican streets, dishing out handfuls of greasy tacos for just US$1 (S$1.20), while ambulant vendors wait outside schools to sell cheap tamales or tortas (sandwiches) to hungry students.