Since diabetes overtook infectious diseases last year to become a leading kil...

Since diabetes overtook infectious diseases last year to become a leading killer in Mexico, the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) found a way to help educate the public about this threat, participating for the second consecutive year in a series of seminars across Mexico to help control diabetes and obesity.

Diabetes and obesity can be managed by incorporating lean cuts of U.S. pork and beef into a balanced and nutritious diet, according to a USMEF nutritionist speaking last week in Veracruz at the first of several “Let’s Control Diabetes And Obesity 2006” seminars held in Mexico.

According to the Mexico Health Ministry, a report published last June found diabetes is the cause of 12 percent of deaths in the country, and deaths from diabetes, often linked to obesity, are increasing by 3 percent each year.

Diabetes is a major threat to global public health that is rapidly getting worse, the World Health Organization says, and the biggest impact is on adults of working age in developing countries. At least 171 million people worldwide, including approximately 4 million Mexicans, have diabetes. That figure is likely to more than double, reaching 366 million by 2030.

“USMEF wants to make it easy for families to adopt healthier lifestyle choices,” USMEF Mexico Director Gilberto Lozano said. “Lean cuts of U.S. pork and beef are not only healthy, but are fast and easy to prepare using recipes USMEF provides.”

Lozano also noted U.S. beef and pork recipes combine meat with vegetables, rice, beans and fruits to create a healthy, well-balance meal that is also appetizing to eat.

Lean cuts of U.S. meat help keep blood sugar levels within a safe range and are a good source of protein in a diet designed to manage calories and fat intake, preventing obesity and high cholesterol, which can lead to diabetes complications.

For example, U.S. pork tenderloin contains 139 calories and 1.4 grams of saturated fat per 3-ounce serving, which compares favorably to chicken breast and is much less than chicken thigh meat.

Children had their blood sugar, cholesterol and fat levels checked before visiting with USMEF Roy’s Club characters Roy, Alberto and Sam.

At the USMEF booth, parents received U.S. meat nutrition information and could enroll their children in Roy’s Club, which introduces children to the importance of eating a balanced meal with red meat as a key ingredient. As club members, kids can earn prizes and learn more about keeping healthy with proper nutrition and exercise.

USMEF will also participate in the following upcoming seminars: Tijuana in April, Monterrey and Mexico City in May, Guadalajara and Tampico in June, Hidalgo and Morelia in September, Oaxaca in October, and Mérida and León in November.

The seminars are primarily organized by the Platícame Foundation, working to educate the public with respect to nutritional habits and other measures, allowing Mexicans to take better care of their overall health and avoid diabetes.

The U.S. Meat Export Federation is the trade association responsible for developing international markets for the U.S. red meat industry and is funded by USDA, exporting companies, and the beef, pork, lamb, corn, sorghum and soybean checkoff programs.

– USMEF –

The following photos are available with this release.

Photo 1– Participants at the Let’s Control Diabetes And Obesity 2006 seminar in Veracruz learn how lean cuts of U.S. pork and beef can help them manage their weight and blood sugar to fight obesity and diabetes.

Photo 2- Children had their blood sugar, cholesterol and fat levels checked at the Let’s Control Diabetes And Obesity 2006 seminar in Veracruz before visiting with U.S. Meat Export Federation Roy’s Club characters Roy, Alberto and Sam.