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How Has Diet Changed in Mexico over the Last 60 Years?
Andrea Díaz-Villaseñor1, Karen Dávila-Navarro2,3, Camila Hucke-Breceda2,4
1Departamento de Medicina Genómica y Toxicología Ambiental, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Mexico City, Mexico, diaz.villasenor@iibiomedicas.unam.mx.
Obesity Facts
|March 6, 2026
Summary
Mexico
Area of Science:
- Nutrition Science
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Overweight and obesity are critical public health concerns in Mexico.
- Prevalence is high across all age groups, with insufficient control measures.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the nutrition transition in Mexico from 1960 to 2020.
- To identify changes in dietary patterns, energy intake, and macronutrient distribution.
Main Methods:
- Utilized FAO food balance sheets for Mexico (1960-2020).
- Analyzed shifts in diet composition by food groups and macronutrients.
Main Results:
- Daily per capita calorie intake increased by nearly 900 kcal.
- Dietary fat increased by 9%, replacing complex carbohydrates.
- Decreased legume intake, increased consumption of meat, vegetable oils, sugar, and ultra-processed foods.
Conclusions:
- The Mexican diet has undergone significant changes over 60 years.
- Characterized by increased calorie intake and altered macronutrient distribution.
- Nutritional quality has declined due to increased processed food consumption.
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