As of 2023, the age category with the highest prevalence of overweight and obesity in Mexico was the group of adults between 40 and 59 years of age. That year, approximately ** percent of adult respondents were estimated to suffer from overweight or obesity. The same study found that over ** percent of adults over 60 years of age in the North American country had overweight or obesity. A body mass index (BMI) between ** and **** kg/m² is considered overweight.

In 2021, the State of Mexico was the region with the highest prevalence of overweight in Mexico, reaching approximately **** percent of interviewed adults aged 20 years or older. Mexico City and the South Pacific region followed, both with an overweight prevalence among adults of about **** percent. Meanwhile, for obesity, the highest prevalence was reported in the Border region, where more than four in every ten people were suffering from obesity or had a body mass index (BMI) equal to or larger than ** kg/m². Obesity was more common among women than men in Mexico as of that year.

Between 2012 and 2023, overweight prevalence among adults in Mexico saw an overall decline. During that period, the prevalence of adults with overweight decreased by around *** percentage points, going from **** percent to **** percent. Meanwhile, obesity prevalence grew in categories I and II through the analyzed period, with obesity type one reaching around **** percent. A person is considered as having obesity if their body mass index (BMI) is equal to or greater than 30 kg/m².

Mexico MX: Prevalence of Overweight: Weight for Height: % of Children Under 5 data was reported at 5.200 % in 2015. This records a decrease from the previous number of 9.000 % for 2012. Mexico MX: Prevalence of Overweight: Weight for Height: % of Children Under 5 data is updated yearly, averaging 7.600 % from Dec 1988 (Median) to 2015, with 6 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 11.000 % in 1989 and a record low of 5.200 % in 2015. Mexico MX: Prevalence of Overweight: Weight for Height: % of Children Under 5 data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Mexico – Table MX.World Bank.WDI: Health Statistics. Prevalence of overweight children is the percentage of children under age 5 whose weight for height is more than two standard deviations above the median for the international reference population of the corresponding age as established by the WHO's new child growth standards released in 2006.; ; UNICEF, WHO, World Bank: Joint child malnutrition estimates (JME). Aggregation is based on UNICEF, WHO, and the World Bank harmonized dataset (adjusted, comparable data) and methodology.; Linear mixed-effect model estimates; Estimates of overweight children are also from national survey data. Once considered only a high-income economy problem, overweight children have become a growing concern in developing countries. Research shows an association between childhood obesity and a high prevalence of diabetes, respiratory disease, high blood pressure, and psychosocial and orthopedic disorders (de Onis and Blössner 2003). Childhood obesity is associated with a higher chance of obesity, premature death, and disability in adulthood. In addition to increased future risks, obese children experience breathing difficulties and increased risk of fractures, hypertension, early markers of cardiovascular disease, insulin resistance, and psychological effects. Children in low- and middle-income countries are more vulnerable to inadequate nutrition before birth and in infancy and early childhood. Many of these children are exposed to high-fat, high-sugar, high-salt, calorie-dense, micronutrient-poor foods, which tend be lower in cost than more nutritious foods. These dietary patterns, in conjunction with low levels of physical activity, result in sharp increases in childhood obesity, while under-nutrition continues

Mexico MX: Prevalence of Overweight: Weight for Height: Male: % of Children Under 5 data was reported at 9.000 % in 2012. This records an increase from the previous number of 8.400 % for 2006. Mexico MX: Prevalence of Overweight: Weight for Height: Male: % of Children Under 5 data is updated yearly, averaging 8.700 % from Dec 1989 (Median) to 2012, with 4 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 10.100 % in 1989 and a record low of 7.900 % in 1998. Mexico MX: Prevalence of Overweight: Weight for Height: Male: % of Children Under 5 data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Mexico – Table MX.World Bank.WDI: Health Statistics. Prevalence of overweight, male, is the percentage of boys under age 5 whose weight for height is more than two standard deviations above the median for the international reference population of the corresponding age as established by the WHO's new child growth standards released in 2006.; ; World Health Organization, Global Database on Child Growth and Malnutrition. Country-level data are unadjusted data from national surveys, and thus may not be comparable across countries.; Linear mixed-effect model estimates; Estimates of overweight children are also from national survey data. Once considered only a high-income economy problem, overweight children have become a growing concern in developing countries. Research shows an association between childhood obesity and a high prevalence of diabetes, respiratory disease, high blood pressure, and psychosocial and orthopedic disorders (de Onis and Blössner 2003). Childhood obesity is associated with a higher chance of obesity, premature death, and disability in adulthood. In addition to increased future risks, obese children experience breathing difficulties and increased risk of fractures, hypertension, early markers of cardiovascular disease, insulin resistance, and psychological effects. Children in low- and middle-income countries are more vulnerable to inadequate nutrition before birth and in infancy and early childhood. Many of these children are exposed to high-fat, high-sugar, high-salt, calorie-dense, micronutrient-poor foods, which tend be lower in cost than more nutritious foods. These dietary patterns, in conjunction with low levels of physical activity, result in sharp increases in childhood obesity, while under-nutrition continues

As of 2023, more than seven in ten adults aged 20 years or older had overweight or obesity in Mexico. By gender, overweight prevalence among adults was higher among men than women in the Latin American country, reaching almost ** percent of interviewed men and ** percent of women. In contrast, obesity prevalence was more pronounced in women than men, with ** percent of women respondents reporting having obesity or a body mass index equal to or higher than ** kg/m².

Historical dataset showing Mexico obesity rate by year from N/A to N/A.

Mexico Bariatric Surgery Market was valued at USD 21.36 Million in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 36.09 Million by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 6.78% from 2026 to 2032.

Key Market Drivers

Escalating Obesity Rates: The rising obesity rates in Mexico have generated an urgent demand for effective weight loss methods, including bariatric surgery. According to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development’s (OECD) Health Statistics 2023, Mexico has one of the highest obesity rates in the world, with nearly 73% of adults being overweight or obese.

Rising Incidence of Obesity-related Comorbidities: The rising prevalence of obesity-related comorbidities, such as type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease, is prompting more people to consider bariatric surgery as a treatment option. According to the Mexican National Institute of Public Health, diabetes affects roughly 15.8% of Mexican adults aged 20 and over, with obesity being the leading cause.

As of 2023, Mexico had an estimated overweight and obesity prevalence of around ** percent of its adult population. In that year, a study found that overweight prevalence was higher in the urban area of the North American country, where approximately **** percent of interviewed adults suffered from this health condition. Obesity was also more prevalent in the urban area, reaching around **** percent of adults aged 20 years or older. People with a body mass index (BMI) equal to or larger than 30 kg/m² are considered as having obesity.

Mexico Prevalence of Overweight: % of Adults data was reported at 64.900 % in 2016. This records an increase from the previous number of 64.400 % for 2015. Mexico Prevalence of Overweight: % of Adults data is updated yearly, averaging 52.950 % from Dec 1975 (Median) to 2016, with 42 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 64.900 % in 2016 and a record low of 37.300 % in 1975. Mexico Prevalence of Overweight: % of Adults data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Mexico – Table MX.World Bank.WDI: Social: Health Statistics. Prevalence of overweight adults is the percentage of adults ages 18 and over whose Body Mass Index (BMI) is more than 25 kg/m2. Body Mass Index (BMI) is a simple index of weight-for-height, or the weight in kilograms divided by the square of the height in meters.;World Health Organization, Global Health Observatory Data Repository (http://apps.who.int/ghodata/).;;

Obesity costs prevented due to warning labels in Mexico after 5 years among adults 20–59 years old.

According to a survey carried out in 2021, around **** percent of respondents considered that unhealthy habits were the primary cause of obesity in Mexico. A high supply of junk or fast food was the second factor most commonly seen as the main driver for this medical condition, as mentioned by ** percent of people surveyed. Lack of nutritional information and poor nutrition were also among the main answers provided by interviewees, with around **** and ***** percent of respondents. Obesity as a major health concern Obesity and overweight are characterized by an excessive accumulation of body fat that is detrimental to people's health. The Body Mass Index (BMI) is commonly used to classify individuals based on the relation between the person’s weight and their height. A BMI threshold above 30 kg/m² indicates obesity, while values between 25 kg/m² and 30 kg/m² are considered overweight. As of 2022, a worldwide survey among adults found that Mexico had the highest share of respondents stating obesity was one of the biggest health problems facing people in their country, as mentioned by over **** of all interviewees. A year earlier, the reported prevalence of overweight and obesity in Mexico had reached approximately **** percent of the adult population. Obesity prevention Adopting healthy habits such as exercising frequently and reducing the consumption of highly caloric foods can prevent obesity, overweight, and related diseases. When asked about commonly suggested actions within the framework of obesity prevention campaigns in Mexico, approximately ** percent of adult respondents mentioned eating healthy, and about **** percent exercising. In contrast, only approximately *** percent of respondents mentioned medical check-ups, while another *** percent had not recognized any campaign.

According to a survey conducted in Mexico in 2021, around ** percent of respondents agreed that healthy eating was a commonly suggested action within the framework of obesity prevention campaigns. Exercising was the second most advised measure, as perceived by **** percent of interviewees. Other recommended actions included providing preventive information, not consuming junk food, and eating fruits and vegetables.

Government measures against obesity When asked about official measures to prevent obesity in Mexico, over one-fifth of respondents taking part on a 2021 survey stated that the federal government should implement preventive campaigns, while **** percent considered it should prohibit or regulate junk food sales. Around ** percent of respondents would like the government to focus on school programs. As of that year, approximately **** percent of Mexican children aged 5 to 11 were obese or overweight, a figure expected to reach over *** million children by 2030.

Obesity and related diseases Obesity is a major risk for developing other health problems such as cardiovascular diseases and diabetes. As of 2021, obesity was among the most common illnesses in Mexico, reaching more than *** thousand cases, while around *** thousand cases corresponded to diabetes mellitus. That same year, Mexico ranked among the countries with the highest number of people with diabetes worldwide, reporting more than ** million patients by that time.

In 2014, Mexico implemented a tax on sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB) equivalent to one Mexican peso (MP) per liter to address the high obesity prevalence. This tax has effectively reduced SSB purchases and yielded healthcare savings; however, it remains unknown whether SSB taxes lead to net benefits at the societal level in Mexico. Moreover, public health experts recommend increasing the tax. The objective of this study is to estimate the net benefits of SSB taxes compared to a scenario of no tax in urban Mexico. Taxes include the one-MP tax and alternative higher taxes (two and three MP per SSB liter). Thus, we conducted a cost-benefit analysis from the perspective of the government, producers, and consumers for a simulated closed cohort of adults in a life-table model. We defined net benefits as the difference between economic benefits (the value of statistical life, healthcare savings, and tax revenue) and costs (consumer surplus and profit losses). We found that, at the societal level, all simulated taxes will eventually generate benefits that surpass costs within ten years. Overall net benefits can reach USD 7.1 billion and 15.3 billion for the one-MP and the three-MP tax, respectively. Hence, these benefits increased at a declining rate compared to taxes. The government and consumers will experience overall positive net benefits among society’s members. Policymakers should consider time horizons and tradeoffs between health gains and economic outcomes across different society members.

The dataset contains data from children from COIPIS cohort of sex, age, percent of body fat and body mass index. COIPIS cohort started in 2012 in response to the need for establishing a prospective childhood obesity epidemiologic study. The sample consisted of 1061 girls and 1121 boys, from 3 to 17 years old. Participants were invited among ISSSTE right-holder teachers who were also members of the union, and patients treated at ISSSTE clinics distributed in Mexico City. Participants were examined every 6 months, since they were recruited until they turned 17 years old.

BackgroundSeveral strategies have been proposed to reduce the intake of added sugars in the population. In Mexico, a 10% sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) tax was implemented in 2014, and the implementation of other nutritional policies, such as product reformulation to reduce added sugars, is under discussion. WHO recommends that all individuals consume less than 10% of their total energy intake (TEI) from added sugars. We propose gradually reducing added sugars in SSBs to achieve an average 10% consumption of added sugars in the Mexican population over 10 years and to estimate the expected impact of reformulation in adult body weight and obesity.Methods and findingsBaseline consumption for added sugars and SSBs, sex, age, socioeconomic status (SES), height, and weight for Mexican adults were obtained from the 2012 Mexico National Health and Nutrition Survey (ENSANUT). On average, 12.6% of the TEI was contributed by added sugars; we defined a 50% reduction in added sugars in SSBs over 10 years as a reformulation target. Using a dynamic weight change model, sugar reductions were translated into individual expected changes in body weight assuming a 43% caloric compensation and a 2-year lag for the full effect of reformulation to occur. Results were stratified by sex, age, and SES. Twelve years after reformulation, the TEI from added sugars is expected to decrease to 10%, assuming no compensation from added sugars; 44% of the population would still be above WHO recommendations, requiring further sugar reductions to food. Body weight could be reduced by 1.3 kg (95% CI −1.4 to −1.2) in the adult population, and obesity could decrease 3.9 percentage points (pp; −12.5% relative to baseline). Our sensitivity analyses suggest that the impact of the intervention could vary from 0.12 kg after 6 months to 1.52 kg in the long term.ConclusionsReformulation to reduce added sugars in SSBs could produce large reductions in sugar consumption and obesity in the Mexican adult population. This study is limited by the use of a single dietary recall and by data collected in all seasons except summer; still, these limitations should lead to conservative estimates of the reformulation effect. Reformulation success could depend on government enforcement and industry and consumer response, for which further research and evidence are needed.

According to a 2021 survey, around **** percent of Mexican respondents agreed that the federal government should implement preventive information campaigns to tackle obesity. Prohibiting or regulating junk food sales was considered another suitable measure by roughly **** percent of interviewees. Other proper actions mentioned by respondents included implementing school programs and healthy eating campaigns. Overweight and obesity in Mexico As of 2021, around ** percent of adults in Mexico were suffering from overweight or obesity. Additionally, **** percent of teenagers and **** percent of children aged five to 11 were dealing with these medical conditions. That same year, the region reporting the highest prevalence of overweight among people aged 20 or older was the State of Mexico, reaching nearly ** percent of adults. A person is considered overweight when their Body Mass Index (BMI) ranges between 25 kg/m² and 30 kg/m². Prevalence in Latin America In Latin America, estimates indicate that over half of the population could be suffering from obesity or overweight by 2030. While in 2020, from ** to ** percent of respondents between 16 and 74 years in Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, Peru, and Chile claimed they were trying to lose weight, the weight loss and diet management industry in Latin America reached a value of approximately **** billion U.S. dollars in 2022, a market expected to increase to over *** billion U.S. dollars by 2027.

Estimates of caloric, body weight, BMI, and obesity changes 1 year after implementing the banning of NEDFBs in schools in Mexico.

Heart conditions were the most common causes of death in Mexico in 2023. During that period, more than ******* people died in the North American country as a result from said conditions. Diabetes mellitus ranked second, with over ******* deaths registered that year. Obesity in MexicoObesity and being overweight can worsen many risk factors for developing heart conditions, prediabetes, type 2 diabetes, and gestational diabetes, which in the case of a COVID-19 infection can lead to a severe course of the disease. In 2020, Mexico was reported as having one of the largest overweight and/or obese population in Latin America, with ** percent of people in the country having a body mass index higher than 25. In 2022, obesity was announced as being one of the most common illnesses experienced in Mexico, with over ******* cases estimated. In a decade from now, it is predicted that about *** million children in Mexico will suffer from obesity. If estimations are correct, this North American country will belong to the world’s top 10 countries with the most obese children in 2030. Physical activity in MexicoIt is not only a matter of food intake. A 2023 survey found, for instance, that only **** percent of Mexican population practiced sports and physical activities in their free time, a figure that has decreased in comparison to 2013. Less than ** percent of the physically active Mexicans practice sports for fun. However, the vast majority were motivated by health reasons.

Intragastric Balloon Systems Market Outlook

According to our latest research, the Global Intragastric Balloon Systems market size was valued at $234 million in 2024 and is projected to reach $612 million by 2033, expanding at a CAGR of 11.2% during the forecast period of 2025–2033. The primary factor fueling this robust growth is the rising global prevalence of obesity and overweight conditions, which are driving demand for minimally invasive, non-surgical weight management solutions. Intragastric balloon systems offer a less invasive alternative to bariatric surgery, making them increasingly popular among patients and healthcare providers seeking effective, reversible, and lower-risk interventions for weight loss and obesity management. Additionally, advancements in device design and improved safety profiles are further supporting the adoption of these systems worldwide.

Regional Outlook

North America currently holds the largest share of the intragastric balloon systems market, accounting for approximately 38% of global revenue in 2024. This dominance is largely attributed to the region’s mature healthcare infrastructure, high awareness of obesity-related health risks, and favorable reimbursement policies. The United States, in particular, has seen significant adoption of intragastric balloon systems, supported by a large base of certified bariatric clinics and a growing trend of elective weight loss procedures. Furthermore, the presence of leading market players and ongoing clinical research initiatives have fostered an environment conducive to early adoption of innovative devices. Regulatory approvals and the increasing prevalence of obesity, which affects more than 40% of the adult population in the U.S., have further cemented North America’s leadership in this market segment.

The Asia Pacific region is expected to register the fastest CAGR of 13.5% from 2025 to 2033, driven by a combination of rising obesity rates, growing disposable incomes, and increasing healthcare investments. Countries such as China, India, and Japan are witnessing a surge in demand for minimally invasive weight loss solutions, propelled by changing dietary habits, urbanization, and a heightened focus on preventive healthcare. Government initiatives aimed at curbing obesity and related non-communicable diseases are also enhancing market growth. Additionally, the expansion of private healthcare facilities and medical tourism in countries like Thailand and South Korea is making advanced intragastric balloon procedures more accessible to a broader patient base. The region’s young, tech-savvy population is increasingly open to innovative medical interventions, further accelerating market adoption.

Emerging economies in Latin America and the Middle East & Africa are experiencing steady market growth, albeit from a lower base, due to increasing awareness of obesity-related health risks and gradual improvements in healthcare infrastructure. However, these regions face unique adoption challenges, including limited access to specialized bariatric care, variable regulatory frameworks, and affordability constraints. In Latin America, Brazil and Mexico are leading the charge with the highest rates of obesity and growing investments in private healthcare. The Middle East is also witnessing a rise in obesity prevalence, particularly in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, where lifestyle-related diseases are on the rise. Despite these opportunities, the lack of standardized treatment protocols and reimbursement issues continue to impede widespread adoption, highlighting the need for targeted education and policy interventions to unlock the full potential of intragastric balloon systems in these regions.

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