Just a couple of days ago I posted a recipe for agua fresca con guayaba here amidst bemoaning the general state of nutrition -- Mexico being the second fattest country in the world and such and what a shame it is that a country with such wondrous foods of its own has been corrupted so badly by JUNK FOOD AND COKE. Today this appeared full-page on the back of one of the major Xalapa papers.
Here is what the article says:
VERACRUZ AGAINST OVERWEIGHT AND OBESITY
The campaign considers rehabilitating sports spaces, promoting better food habits and motivating above everything children not to eat "chatarra" or junk food.
The Programa Fiel against Overweight and Obesitiy to combat this puliec health problem which affects a good portion of the population of the state was inaugurated by Governor Fidel Herrera Beltrán this Tuesday. This action, which is an important public policy and which gets underway as a pilot program in primary schools of various towns and will extend into all 212 municipalities of the state, will build and rehabiliate public sports spaces....
Governor Herrera Beltrán emphasized that this was not a campaign against the taco nor other food associated with [Veracruz's] culture and traditions but rather it was a campaign for the enjoyment of the delicacies of Veracruz's excellent cuisine, for the reintroduction of Veracruz's healthier diet with its fruits, vegetables and less junk food, as well as a campaign to encourage people taking up physical and sports activities again as families did in days gone by....
At present, Mexico holds second place in the world in the number of obese people, and every three minutes someone dies because of problems related to obesity and lack of exercise. Veracruz occupies first place in the nation in diabetes and obesidty. Seven of every to Veracruzano children are obese or have problems with overweight. Because of this, the present administration is purshing this important program in search of a "veracru-sano."
Hurray, Veracruz! Hurray, Fidel!
