( CNN ) -- With their country having the dubious distinction of first place in a global ranking of obese populations , legislators in Mexico have approved new taxes on high-calorie foods and soft drinks . A measure that cleared the Mexican senate on Thursday and that now awaits the president 's signature puts an 8 % tax on edibles with high caloric contents . Although the legislation does not identify all foods that fit into its tax category or include a specific list , it cites `` food that is high in calories such as fried foods ... sweets , foods made mainly with cereal , among others ... '' Senators also approved a tax of one peso ( about seven-and-a-half cents ) on every liter of soft drinks . The tax measures come after Mexico jumped ahead of the United States to claim first place in a list of most-obese nations in a U.N. food and agriculture report this year . Meanwhile , in another component of a government effort to combat obesity , the Mexico Health Department is joinging with two pediatric organizations in a campaign to prevent childhood obesity . The campaign 's goal is to help doctors understand the complications of obesity , as well as the preventative and treatment measures available , said Arturo Perea-Martinez of Mexico 's National Pediatric Institute . According to the World Health Organization , the average Mexican drinks 163 liters ( about 43 gallons ) of soda a year , which is 40 % more than the average U.S. citizen , making Mexico the largest consumer of soft drinks in the world .
Mexico adds an 8 % tax on food high in caloric content . A liter of soft drink also gets a tax . Mexico tops a global report ranking the most obese nations . Mexico beats the U.S. to top the list .