Mexico’s House OKs law mandating schools hold daily exercise for kids, and not sell junk food

Mexico’s House OKs anti-obesity plan for schools

MEXICO CITY — The lower house of Mexico’s Congress has approved a law that would require daily exercise for school children to combat rapidly growing obesity rates. Schools currently have only one day of physical education a week.

The legislation also would restrict schools from selling junk food to students.

The changes approved Tuesday now go to the Senate for consideration.

Government health officials warn that Mexico’s health system could crumble from the cost of battling diseases related to obesity. Officials say about 70 percent of Mexico’s adults are overweight and 10 percent of its children are obese.

The country has about 107 million residents.