The General Director of the Institute of Security and Social Services for State Workers (ISSSTE), Martí Batres Guadarrama, made a call on the occasion of World Obesity Day, celebrated on March 4, highlighting the importance of addressing this issue from a perspective of social justice and claiming health as a collective right.
In his statements, Batres emphasized that obesity is not merely a matter of individual will, but a consequence of the neoliberal system. He insisted on the need to change the narrative of personal blame and focus on the social causes that contribute to obesity, not just on its treatment.
The ISSSTE director mentioned that the neoliberal economic model has had a significant impact on food systems, promoting the proliferation of ultraprocessed foods. In response to this, ISSSTE has implemented the Program for the Prevention and Reversal of Overweight and Obesity (PPRESyO) in its first-level medical units, attended by multidisciplinary teams.
Among the recommendations for preventing obesity are maintaining physical activity, avoiding tobacco and alcohol consumption, limiting sugar intake, incorporating fruits and vegetables into the daily diet, weighing oneself regularly, distributing meals into five portions, and consuming foods rich in fiber. These actions aim to promote a culture of health among ISSSTE beneficiaries, addressing obesity as a collective challenge.
Batres also expressed his commitment to strengthen prevention and health promotion as part of the 25 Points Plan for the Transformation of ISSSTE, emphasizing the need to regulate the marketing and advertising of unhealthy foods, as well as to implement effective prevention strategies against sedentary lifestyles.
