This week began the activities of the Health Promotion Congress 2014, in San Jose del Cabo, Baja California Sur, Mexico. It is aimed for sharing health experiences and successful models that have been established in the country as well as at a regional level.
The congress was created to develop synergies between federal, state and municipal governments to promote, establish and set various preventive outreach programs; promoting a health agenda in a respectful intercultural context and aligned to Human Rights.
At the inaugural ceremony, Juan Carlos Zevallos, a professor at the University of Miami, Florida, US, presented an analysis of the strategies carried out in Mexico impact. He said that with the implementation of the National Strategy for Preventing and Controlling Overweight, Obesity and Diabetes, Mexico will be able to reverse this public health problem.
When imparting the Epidemiological Monitoring Workshop of Non-communicable Chronic Diseases: Focused in Diabetes and Cardiovascular Risk, the specialist mentioned the preventive programs that have being implemented by the Federal Ministry of Health, headed by Dr. Mercedes Juan. Among the most important is the Model of Intervention for searching and monitoring risk factors for diabetes and cardiovascular disease in the population.
Dr. Zevallos, who is also scientific director of the Border Project Mexico-US on Obesity, Overweight and Diabetes, said that it is a priority to encourage families’ involvement in the care of diabetic patients, mainly to ensure adequate control over the diet of these patients.
The academic also taught a course to reinforce epidemiological monitoring of non-communicable chronic diseases in health institutions.
Another workshop performed was Overweight and Obesity Comprehensive Management: Psychosocial Issues, Eating Planning, Exercise and Drugs, conducted by Dr. Celsa Lopez Campos, a member of the Chronic Disease Monitoring Network in the Americas. During the workshop Dr. Celsa said that health centers have improved care for people with overweight and obesity; through nutrition planning and physical activities appropriate to the needs and capabilities of patients.
Dr. Lopez Campos said that by reducing 10 to 15 percent of body weight, the risk of depression decreases, self-esteem increases and the risk of comorbidities drops. Every effort counts, as she explained that losing between 5 and 10 percent of body weight decreases the risk of cardiovascular disorder associated with obesity.
She recommended for people who have gain 5 kilograms (11 pounds) in the last year to start a low calorie diet, limit fat consumption and increase physical activity.
Only if for people who were not able to lose 5 kilograms over a period of 4 to 6 months through diet and exercise, and their waist has a larger circumference than 102 centimeters (40.2 inches), using drugs is an option.
Through: Secretaría de Salud / Mexico’s Ministy of Health
