Experts Warn of Diabetes Crisis Amidst Lack of Regulation
During a virtual seminar titled “Diabetes and its Relation to Sugary Drink Consumption,” organized by the Power of Consumer, the National Institute of Public Health (INSP), and the University of Washington, experts discussed the ongoing diabetes crisis in Mexico and the role of unregulated sugary drinks.
Diabetes as a Leading Cause of Death
In 2024, Mexico reported 112,641 deaths due to diabetes, according to preliminary figures from the National Institute of Statistics and Geography (Inegi). The disease remains one of the primary causes of death in the country.
Sugary Drinks’ Impact on Diabetes Cases
Experts highlighted that the high consumption of sugary drinks exacerbates diabetes cases, which are largely preventable. A study published in Nature Medicine estimated that 30% of new type 2 diabetes cases (169,425) and 14.9% of diabetes-related deaths in Mexico are attributable to these beverages.
Mexico consumes three times more sugary drinks than the global average among adults and children, ranking among the 25 most populous countries with the highest sugary drink consumption.
Effectiveness of Sugary Drink Taxes
Dr. Laura Lara from the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) at the University of Washington explained that diabetes often co-occurs with hypertension, obesity, and dyslipidemias in environments with high availability and marketing of added-sugar products.
Dr. Juan Carlos Salgado, an economist at the Center for Nutrition and Health Research (CINyS) at INSP, stated that the tax on sugary drinks in Mexico has effectively reduced purchases by 6% to 12%, with the most significant impact on lower-income households. This policy is projected to prevent tens of thousands of diabetes and heart attack cases.
Additionally, front-of-package warning labels have reinforced this policy by decreasing the intent to buy sugary drinks and encouraging reformulation with reduced sugar content.
Call for Strengthened Public Policies
Experts agree that Mexico cannot continue losing lives due to harmful product consumption. They urge reinforcing public policies, protecting them from industry interference, and prioritizing health over commercial interests.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the main issue discussed? The seminar focused on the diabetes crisis in Mexico and the role of unregulated sugary drinks.
- How many diabetes-related deaths were reported in 2024? Approximately 112,641 deaths were reported in Mexico due to diabetes in 2024.
- What percentage of new type 2 diabetes cases and diabetes-related deaths are linked to sugary drinks? 30% of new type 2 diabetes cases and 14.9% of diabetes-related deaths in Mexico are attributed to sugary drinks.
- How effective have sugary drink taxes and warning labels been? Sugary drink taxes have reduced purchases by 6% to 12%, with front-of-package warning labels further decreasing intent to buy and promoting reformulation.
- What do experts recommend to address the diabetes crisis? Experts call for strengthening public policies, protecting them from industry interference, and prioritizing health over commercial interests.
