In Mexico, children in early childhood (girls and boys from 0 to 5 years old) are in vulnerable conditions to achieve the maximum development of their physical, cognitive and socio-emotional capacities (early childhood development). 11.8% live in extreme poverty conditions and 50% in poverty (INEGI, 2020). 50% suffer from malnutrition and 40% from anemia (ENSANUT, 2022). This situation is fatal, since 90% of the human brain develops in the first 5 years (Nelson, 2000). Adults with poor childhood development have a very high probability of suffering from addictions, depression, heart disease and diabetes.
The main obstacle to child development is malnutrition (malnutrition, obesity, micronutrient deficiency and anemia). Suffering from it in early childhood can cause structural damage to the brain. Un Kilo de Ayuda (UKA) is a non-profit organization whose purpose is to enable children in vulnerable conditions, who are in rural and indigenous communities with high or very high marginalization in Mexico, to develop their abilities to the maximum and thus have a better quality of life.
To achieve this purpose, malnutrition is addressed in a comprehensive manner. Food with a high protein content is provided to children, capillary hemoglobin tests are performed in blood to detect anemia and, in positive cases, iron treatment is provided. In 2023, 74.8% of the children served achieved an optimal nutritional status. Of those who tested positive for anemia, 72.8% corrected it, while 95.5% of those who tested negative prevented it.
