As in many Western nations, obesity has become an epidemic in Central America. According to the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO), this rise can be linked to the increased consumption of processed foods across these nations. While PAHO/WHO has noticed sales of such foods declining in North America, the trend is only growing in Latin America, thanks to the addictive qualities and low prices of these foods. The direct correlation between sales of processed foods and average body mass prevailed throughout all 13 nations studied, with Mexico leading the pack in both respects. Nations with more traditional diets had lower increases in obesity rates. However, each of the countries still reported increases of some
