April 28, 2011 – Mexico City, Mexico – An obese Mexican child takes a shower at the artificial beach in Balneario 14 de Diciembre (ex olímpico) in Iztacalco, Mexico. The local government of Marcelo Ebrard sets up artificial beaches during the Easter holidays in consolation prize for residents too poor to get away in Mexico city.This is the 5th year that the local government installs the beaches. Last year 120,000 people visited just the beach in Villa Olimpica, in the south of the city. Obesity is a massive epidemic affecting countries around the world. Mexico has one of the highest obesity rates in the world, and public health officials are increasingly alarmed by the rapid rise in child and youth obesity. Mexico holds the first place worldwide in childhood obesity About one-third of children in Mexico are now classified as either overweight or obese. There is also a high prevalence of obesity among the poor in Mexico. Photo credit: Benedicte Desrus