I grew up in a place with a lot of food that rich people called junk food.
We didn't call it junk food.
We just called it food.
We went to one place in Mexico taking bold steps
to address the fact that nutrition can be pretty damn expensive.
(Emily) In Oaxaca, food is a vital part of tradition, ritual, and community.
Tlayudas that go with meat, cheese, and lard
are my favorite food.
My favorite dish is black mole.
Zucchini with cheese.
(Emily) And more recently business.
Thousands of tourists flocked to the city's restaurants
confirming its standing as a global food Mecca.
But this phenomenon masks a major and growing problem among locals.
An obesity and diabetes epidemic fueled by highly processed food.
BANNED FOOD
(Emily) One third of kids in Mexico are overweight and obese
and more than 10 percent of its population has diabetes.
Mexico has one of the highest number of diabetes cases in the world.
It's the country's number one killer.
My favorite junk food is fried food.
I like buying a lot of chips and soda.
I love chips because they are very tasty.
(Emily) The government is trying to tackle the problem.
In October, new federal regulations went into effect,
requiring black octagon labels on food products,
warning against high sugar, salt, or fat content.
The state of Oaxaca, also ban the sale of junk food to kids.
The question is, will it work?
Four chocolate ones.
So two, three, four.
(Emily) Mayra Hernandez runs a corner store in Oaxaca City.
Do you think that the labels actually make a difference in what people purchase?
I don't think so.
Client's don't give it much thought.
As you can see here,
these have the new labels,
but people still take the same products.
What do you think junk food has become so popular here in Oaxaca?
The lack of money.
Salaries are very low.
If you want a proper breakfast,
like some eggs and coffee with milk,
you spend 45 - 50 pesos [$2 to $2.50].
If you buy this, it costs half of that.
Have you seen a change in sales because of the prohibition
on selling junk food to kids?
No, I haven't seen it.
Sometimes the dad comes with the shopping list
for what the kid wants.
When I go to the store, I don't look at the nutrition labels.
The truth is I haven't looked at the new labels.
I went to the pharmacy to buy a soda,
but they said they couldn't sell it to me
because I am underage.
(Emily) There's some evidence warning labels work.
Chile started requiring them in 2016 and the sale of sodas fell by nearly 25%.
But getting people to eat healthier, could also require a cultural shift.
(Emily) Charlynne Curiel studies people's eating habits.
(Charlynne) There is an association of status
that makes people think that [processed food] is better.
That is easier, make you more modern,
and that you've left traditions behind.
The prohibition on selling junk food to minors,
what do you make of it?
It's necessary.
It is a step, just like the new labels.
These are important steps.
But I don't think they threaten the interests of the industry.
As Oaxaca has become more well-known,
have local people here change their diets?
In the last few years, these products have really flooded the market,
and because of how easy it is to consume these hyper-processed foods,
they have an incredible reach.
So, anywhere in this state where there is electricity,
you will find a refrigerator with Coca-Cola.
It's time to eat! Let's eat!
(Emily) The Garcia family lives on the outskirts of Oaxaca City.
There's a long history of diabetes in their family
and they're trying to eat healthier.
(Raquel He can drink a little bit if he wants.
(Emily) But that demands more money and time.
(Emily) What are you cooking?
(Raquel) I'm making a chicken Milanese.
And I'll make zucchini with cheese.
Thank you for having me at the table.
For lunch.
(Rigoberto) Give her a spoon and a cup.
(Emily) What is the soup made with?
(Rigoberto) Pumpkin, tomato...
(Raquel) Tomato, onion, and cheese.
(Emily) A family recipe.
(Raquel) Yes.
A year ago or two, what would you normally eat at lunch?
A lot of coke, but now we have more water than coke.
We'd have one at lunch, another for breakfast,
and another for dinner.
A big bottle just like the one he brought over.
For you guys, was it hard to change your diet?
Yes,
Why?
Because...
(Rigoberto) You were used to it.
I was used to having sugar.
Are you scared of becoming diabetic?
Yes.
(Luis) Because I have seen my dad.
(Rigoberto) And your grandpa.
(Luis) My grandpa.
What changed a year ago that you decided that you had to
stop eating so much junk food and stop drinking soft drinks?
The doctor told me that I had to change my diet for my kids.
The doctor also said that I can't eat too many fats or sugars
because of my gallbladder.
If I don't take care of myself, I will need surgery.
(Emily) You change your diet for your kids more than anything?
Yes, for the kids.