A few months ago, I had an experience that changed my outlook on life. I visited the Puebla Food Bank and as I toured their facilities, I was impressed by the scope of their work. But it was in a presentation where everything became real and heartbreaking. They showed us an image that took my breath away, the brain of a well-fed 8-year-old boy next to that of another child who never received proper nutrition. And then the blow, the malnourished child’s brain damage was irreversible. At that moment, I felt a lump in my throat and a weight in my heart. I clearly understood that this is not just another problem; It is an urgency that defines lives forever.
Child nutrition transcends physical well-being; It is the fundamental pillar on which a person’s cognitive and emotional development is based. As UNICEF points out in a 2020 publication, poor nutrition has devastating effects: it causes an increase in child morbidity and mortality, impairs cognitive function and reduces school performance. Furthermore, the consequences are not limited to childhood, as they extend throughout life, increasing the risk of chronic diseases, a higher probability of premature mortality and a significantly reduced quality of life in adulthood.
In the world, one in four children under five years of age suffers from severe food poverty, which represents 25% of this population according to UNICEF. This affects more than 180 million children who face serious consequences from not having access to a nutritious and varied diet. Many survive on just two food groups, such as rice and milk, making them 50% more likely to suffer from severe malnutrition. For healthy development, children need at least five of the eight essential food groups, such as dairy, grains, fruits, vegetables, legumes, meat and eggs. However, in 137 low- and middle-income countries, 440 million children do not reach this minimum, perpetuating malnutrition and the risk of fatal consequences. Even if they survive, the lack of adequate nutrition impacts their school performance and limits their opportunities in adulthood, trapping them in a cycle of intergenerational poverty.
In Mexico, millions of children suffer the consequences of poor nutrition, a problem that well-intentioned social programs still do not prioritize. Without a solid nutritional foundation, efforts in education, health and economic development remain incomplete. Learning is affected, the immune system does not develop properly, and human potential is compromised. According to a recent UNICEF report, one in two children under two years of age in Mexico lacks essential foods and nutrients to grow and develop properly, causing irreversible damage.
The figures are alarming. According to data from the World Bank, children who receive adequate nutrition are 33% more likely to escape poverty when they reach adulthood. This means that investing in nutrition is not only a moral obligation, but a strategy for economic and social development. However, the consequences of not acting are equally serious. Studies by the British nutrition journal The Lancet reveal that malnutrition generates losses of up to $3.5 trillion annually to the global economy, a figure that reflects both the human cost and the waste of potential.
This issue is urgent and deserves to be at the center of the public agenda. The fight against hunger and child malnutrition cannot wait, and must be a joint effort between governments, businesspeople and civil society. In Mexico, we have the capacity and resources to make a difference, but we need the will and commitment to act. It’s not just about numbers or statistics; It is about the lives and futures of millions of children. If we don’t start there, all other solutions will be insufficient. Child nutrition is literally the foundation of a stronger, fairer country.
