MEXICO CITY — Mexican officers say about 12% of Mexicans undergo from malnutrition, a state of affairs they blamed partly on consumption of junk meals. Officers advised legislators the issue is extra frequent in rural areas.

The Well being Division mentioned Saturday the issue is commonly mirrored in anemia, protein deficit and an imbalance in micronutrients.

Simón Barquera, the top of the nation’s well being and diet analysis heart, mentioned advertising and marketing and junk meals have been the principle drivers of unhealthy consumption patterns.

“Advertising, financial pursuits and the affect of the junk meals business are the principle drivers of consumption patterns within the Mexican inhabitants that create well being issues,” Barquera mentioned.

Nevertheless, poverty additionally clearly performs a job. Mexico’s fee for poverty measurement mentioned that in 2020, 22.5% of Mexicans lacked sufficient earnings to purchase high quality, nutritious meals for themselves and their households.

About 43.9% of Mexicans, or about 55 million individuals, dwell beneath the poverty line, which suggests they can not pay for all their wants.

Client teams in Mexico have lengthy complained that smooth drinks and snacks are closely marketed in rural areas, the place they’re generally seen as higher, extra prestigious or extra addictive meals than the normal food plan of corn, beans, rice and chiles.