Mexican Epidemiological Paradox: A Developing Country with a Burden of "Richness" Diseases

In the past decades, Mexico has experienced profound socioeconomic, demographic, political, and cultural changes that have deeply affected all facets of the nation. Nutrition profiles have changed and despite the generalized poverty, there is great availability of cheap food that is plentiful in calories in the cities. Together with the aforementioned dietary characteristics of contemporary Mexicans, the frequent practice of physical exercise is not profound in the population. Just below the United States, Mexico occupies the second rank in obesity in the entire world, but is first in female obesity and close to 5.5% of children less than 5 years old are overweight. In Mexico, four metabolic conditions are evident: diabetes, ischemic heart disease, stroke, and hypertension and they are responsible for more than 1 60 000 deaths annually, altogether comprising 32.5% of all deaths. Also as a consequence of the dietary changes, the lipid profile has changed in a very short period of time. Prevention is the ultimate goal, but the road to prevention is paved by information and awareness.