The government of Baja California has made the health and well-being of children a top priority, Governor Marina del Pilar Ávila Olmeda stated. She emphasized that, through strategies promoted nationwide by President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo, as well as local initiatives, school environments are being improved to foster healthy habits and ensure proper nutrition for children and teenagers.
Baja California has joined the national 3 x Mi Salud strategy, an initiative aimed at reducing childhood overweight and obesity through three key actions implemented in schools: eliminating sugary drinks, avoiding ultra-processed foods, and promoting daily physical activity.
The governor highlighted that, according to the 2023 National Health and Nutrition Survey (ENSANUT), 34.2% of children aged 5 to 11 are overweight or obese, while the figure rises to 38.1% among teenagers aged 12 to 19. These numbers, she said, confirm the importance of reinforcing nutritional education from an early age and making schools spaces of health and well-being for children and youth.
She noted that Baja California has implemented specific programs such as “Pancita Llena, Corazón Contento” (Full Belly, Happy Heart), which provides hot, balanced meals to students in all public elementary schools.
“A healthy childhood is the first step toward a future with more opportunities. That’s why in Baja California, we are working to ensure our schools are places where children eat well, learn to take care of themselves, and live healthily,” she added.
The Secretary of Health, Adrián Medina Amarillas, explained that the 3 x Mi Salud campaign aligns with the principles of the General Law on Adequate and Sustainable Nutrition, which recognizes children’s right to healthy school environments and accurate nutritional information.
He pointed out that this strategy seeks to transform habits from childhood and promotes simple messages that can be adopted in daily life, such as “Today and tomorrow, no sugary drinks”, “Today and tomorrow, no junk food”, and “Today and tomorrow, I walk for my health.”
Among its main goals are preventing chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, and some cancers by promoting healthy lifestyles. It also aims to strengthen nutritional education from an early age and raise awareness about the short- and long-term impact of diet on health. Additionally, it encourages physical activity as a tool to combat sedentary lifestyles.
The campaign recommends prioritizing exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life, choosing fresh foods like fruits, vegetables, legumes, and whole grains, reducing intake of processed meats and opting for plant-based alternatives, drinking water instead of sugary beverages, engaging in daily exercise, such as walking, running, or dancing, and using mealtimes as opportunities for family bonding.
Beyond these efforts, Baja California is also participating in the ” Vive Saludable, Vive Feliz” (Live Healthy, Live Happy) campaign, focused on bringing health guidance and information to schools. This includes talks for children and teenagers on nutrition, hygiene, physical activity, and emotional well-being, all aimed at fostering habits that contribute to a healthier life.
