At the beginning of the year, Mexico put its schoolchildren on a diet, but with a variety of loopholes that didn’t exactly have the ideal effect.
Though the schools were trying to combat childhood obesity, lollipops, potato and corn chips, and cookies were allowed for sale. However, there are now helpful changes being made. The chips sold are baked, not fried. While the sweets available have limited sugar, and the soft drinks are strictly banned in schools.
One hefty 14-year-old says his doctor told him to drink more water to be healthier. “More water,” he said. “That’s better.”
Mexico is considered one of the most overweight countries in the world, and with this new initiative, they’re hoping to curb future obesity by starting early. Last year, Mexico’s officials stepped in to limit what could be sold on school grounds, since Mexico’s schools do not provide lunch.
As hard as it’s been for the schools to try to keep their kids healthier, one school principal found a simple solution. When the snack food salesmen “come knocking at the door…we just say no.”
