To date, more than 125,000 Mexicans have been confirmed dead in covid-19 and 70 percent of Mexicans who have died from the virus have previously had diseases linked to obesity.

High blood pressure and diabetes have become widespread public diseases in Mexico, making a large part of the country's population at risk during the corona pandemic.

And the problems of obesity have now also become an issue at the highest political level.

- The Mexican people are sick and that is why we have been hit so hard by covid-19.

I am ashamed that we are at the top of the world for obesity among children and adults, says the country's president Andrés Manuel López Obrador.

Political initiatives to improve public health

Concerns that chronic obesity makes Mexico particularly vulnerable to pandemics have prompted the president to present several initiatives to improve public health.

Impressions are already being felt in Mexico's curriculum, where the new subject "healthy living" will become compulsory in schools after the pandemic.

There are also new initiatives at the regional level to combat obesity.

In August, the state of Oaxaca in southern Mexico introduced a law banning the sale of junk food products to minors.

According to the law, only people over the age of 18 can buy products such as sweets, soft drinks and chips.

The new law has set the sights on the extensive sale of high-calorie foods near schools.

Several other Mexican states have followed Oaxaca's example and introduced similar laws.

The food industry is protesting against the new laws and there have been reports that the law is not respected in trade.

But the initiators hope that it will above all help to shed light on the problems of childhood obesity and lead to increased awareness of the importance of a balanced diet and an active lifestyle.

Corona vaccine less effective in obesity

Mexico has now started vaccinating against covid-19, but even here the widespread obesity can be a complicating factor.

Researchers warn that the corona vaccine may not be as effective for people suffering from obesity.

This is a problem that has arisen with other vaccines.