The prevalence of obesity in Mexico has risen substantially since the 1980s, with obesity now affecting over 30% of the adult population.1,2 It is projected that by 2050, the proportion of obese men and women in Mexico will rise to 54% and 37%, respectively, and more people will be obese than overweight.1 The rise in the rates of obesity has primarily been linked to an increased consumption of calorically dense foods and a more sedentary lifestyle.3–5

The presence of obesity is associated with a range of comorbidities including cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), osteoarthritis, certain types of cancer, obstructive sleep apnea, and other conditions,1,2,6–11 which have a profound impact on the Mexican health care system. In 2010, costs were estimated to be $806 million, and based on the projected increases in obesity rates, they could rise to $1.7 billion by 2050.1

Excess weight has also been associated with a number of impairments across psychosocial, symptom, and work-related domains. Research has suggested an association between increasing BMI and greater pain,12–15 as well as joint-related disorders such as osteoarthritis.16–18 Obesity has also been associated with higher rates of fatigue and sleep disorders.19–23 In the psychosocial domain, obese individuals have been reported to be at an increased risk of certain psychiatric illnesses, most notably depression,24 while overweight and obese individuals have been found to possess lower health-related quality of life (HRQoL) compared to those with a healthy weight.25 Finally, international research has consistently found an association between obesity and impairments in work productivity measures, with increasing BMI linked to greater absenteeism and presenteeism.7,26–29

Given the potential projected increases in obesity, it is also important to understand the weight loss actions taken by those who are overweight and obese in Mexico. Treatment of obesity is centered on optimizing food choices and improving exercise habits through lifestyle changes, for which there are numerous policy interventions.3,5,30,31 Weight loss interventions tend to follow a stepwise approach, with diet and lifestyle counseling as a foundation, before progressing to pharmacological and surgical approaches.32 There has been some suggestive evidence that involving family members in weight loss efforts could be beneficial, particularly within family-centered cultures.33 Despite global efforts to address obesity, sustainable weight loss remains elusive, and the majority of individuals will regain some or all of their lost weight over the course of 2 years.34 A survey study of Mexican university students reported that nearly 40% of respondents were attempting to lose weight;35 however, there exists little large-scale evidence of how frequently individuals with obesity in Mexico take steps to lose weight, the methods they use, or their satisfaction with these methods.