Mexico City metro offers 50,000 free tickets to commuters who perform ten squats in bid to tackle obesity
Drastic times call for drastic measures after Mexico is named second on the world obese list
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The possible cure for obesity has been discovered in Mexico: offer people free travel if they exercise.
After the country was ranked second in the world for obesity, with an estimated 37 million people overweight, drastic measures were resorted to in the nation's capital, Mexico City.
Mexico City Metro, which services over 1 billion people every year, introduced 30 "health stops" in 21 stations across the city, where an electric meter counts the number of squats an individual performs.
If the person completes 10 squats, they are given a free metro ticket. Mexico City Metro are offering 50,000 tickets to people who complete 10 squats.
As the individual performs each squat, the screen in front of them offers tips on how to lead a healthy lifestyle.
One commuter, Monica Velazquez, said, "I think it’s a very good activity, it’s promoting having good health to people who spend a lot of time sitting down without doing anything."
12 stations also include clinics that treat the obese, offering free advice and medical treatment.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments