The prevalence of overweight and obesity has been rising among Mexican children and adolescents in the last decades. To systematically review obesity prevention interventions delivered to Mexican children and adolescents. Thirteen databases and one search engine were searched for evidence from 1995 to 2021. Searches were done in English and Spanish to capture relevant information. Studies with experimental designs, delivered in any setting (e.g., schools or clinics) or digital domains (e.g., social media campaigns) targeting Mexican children or adolescents (≤ 18 years) and reporting weight outcomes, were included in this review. In addition, the risk of bias was appraised with the Effective Public Health Practice Project Quality Assessment Tool. Twenty-nine studies with 19,136 participants (3–17 years old) were included. The prevalence of overweight and obesity at baseline ranged from 21 to 69%. Most of the studies (89.6%) were delivered in school settings. The duration ranged from 2 days to 3 school years, and the number of sessions also varied from 2 to 200 sessions at different intensities. Overall, anthropometric changes varied across studies. Thus, the efficacy of the included studies is heterogeneous and inconclusive among studies. Current evidence is heterogeneous and inconclusive about the efficacy of interventions to prevent obesity in Mexican children and adolescents. Interventions should not be limited to educational activities and should include different components, such as multi-settings delivery, family inclusion, and longer-term implementations. Mixed-method evaluations (including robust quantitative and qualitative approaches) could provide a deeper understanding of the effectiveness and best practices.

Context A relationship between obesity and poor oral health has been reported. Objective To investigate the association between overweight/obesity and oral health in Mexican children and adolescents. Data Sources A literature search was conducted of 13 databases and 1 search engine for articles published from 1995 onward. Data Analysis A total of 18 publications were included. Evidence was inconclusive and varied according to sociodemographic factors or outcome measuring tools. The Decayed, Missing, and Filled Teeth and Filled Teeth Surfaces indices and the decayed extracted filled teeth index outcomes were included in a random effects model meta-analysis. Pooled estimates showed no statistically significant oral health differences (measured via the decayed extracted filled teeth or the Decayed, Missing, and Filled Teeth Surfaces indexes) among body mass index (BMI) categories. However, pooled estimates of 6 studies showed that children with higher BMI had worse oral health in permanent teeth (measured via the Decayed Missing Filled Teeth Index) than children with lower BMI (overall mean difference, –0.42; 95%CI, –0.74, –0.11). Conclusion Whether there is an association between poor oral health and high BMI is inconclusive; however, both co-exist among Mexican children. Therefore, health promotion and prevention efforts should address common risk factors and broader risk social determinants shared between noncommunicable diseases.

Context Prevalence of overweight and obesity has been rising in the past 3 decades among Mexican children and adolescents. Objective To systematically review experimental studies evaluating interventions to treat obesity in Mexican children and adolescents (≤18 years old). Data Sources For this study, 13 databases and 1 search engine were searched. Data Analysis A total of 29 studies met the inclusion criteria. Overall, 2302 participants (age range, 8–16 years) from 11 states in Mexico were included. Most of the studies (n = 17 of 29) were provided in a clinical setting. A random-effect meta-analysis of 4 randomized controlled trials was conducted and a significant effect was found on body mass index reduction that favored the intervention group (−1.52; 95%CI, −2.15 to −0.89) for short-term (≤6 mo) interventions. Conclusions A multicomponent, multidisciplinary, and individualized intervention that includes dietary modifications, physical activity practice, behavioral strategies, and active parental involvement might help treat childhood obesity in Mexico. However, long-term results need to be produced to identify effectiveness pointers that might help establish an integrated, long-lasting care model to treat obesity.

Context Obesity and mental health issues increasingly affect children and adolescents, but whether obesity is a risk factor for mental health issues is unclear. Objective To systematically review the association between obesity and mental health issues (ie, anxiety and/or depression) among Mexican children and adolescents. Data sourcing, extraction, and synthesis A literature search of 13 databases and 1 search engine was conducted. Population, exposure, comparison, outcomes, and study design data were extracted, analyzed, and narratively synthesized. The JBI critical appraisal tool was used to evaluate evidence quality. Results A total of 16 studies with 12 103 participants between 8 and 18 years old were included. Four studies focused on anxiety outcomes, 10 on depression, and 2 on both (ie, anxiety and depression). Evidence is unclear about the association of obesity with anxiety. However, most evidence shows that Mexican children and adolescents with overweight or obesity are more likely to have depression or report a higher number of depressive symptoms than normal-weight participants. Such likelihood is greater for females. Conclusion Health promotion interventions to treat or prevent obesity could also consider mental health outcomes. Systematic Review Registration PROSPERO registration no. CRD42019154132

Culture and culturally specific beliefs or practices may influence perceptions and decisions, potentially contributing to childhood obesity. The objective of this study is to identify the cultural factors (expressed through decisions, behaviors, individual experiences, perceptions, attitudes, or views) related to childhood and adolescent obesity in Mexico. Ten databases and one search engine were searched from 1995 onwards for qualitative studies. The Sunrise Enabler Model, described within the Cultural Care Theory, guided this review. Sample, the phenomenon of interest, study design, and evaluation data were extracted, and the Critical Appraisals Skills Programme tool was used to assess the quality of the included studies. Twenty-four studies were included. Of these, 12 studies included children or adolescents, 12 included parents, eight included schoolteachers, four included school staff (other than teachers), four included food vendors, and one included policymakers. Cultural values, beliefs, lifeways (especially food and food costumes), kinship, and social factors (particularly immediate and extended family) strongly influenced childhood and adolescent obesity-related lifestyles in Mexico. Most cultural factors related to childhood obesity in Mexico identified in this review may be modifiable and amenable to practical interventions.