A Community We Support: Alonso Yañez
Background
Feed the Hungry San Miguel began operating a kitchen in the Alonso Yáñez community in 2015. During school year 2023-2024, we are serving hot meals to 164 students of Lázaro Cárdenas primaria (elementary) every school day. Our hydration program also provides clean water in large refillable jugs for the children in the classrooms and for food preparation in the school kitchen.
There are also 24 families enrolled in the Early Childhood Nutrition program, which provides food for children who have been weaned but are not yet in school; typically, eight months old to four or five years old. Their mothers receive twice-monthly deliveries of food and educational workshops.
Location Statistics
The community of Alonso Yáñez is located 17 kilometers from the Feed the Hungry Center. The most recent INEGI census (2020) reported a population of 904 men, women, and children residing in 195 households. Only 62% of homes had indoor sanitary facilities. Of residents over 12 years of age, 45% were employed. Children under 14 years of age made up 35% of the population. More than 7% of the adult residents were reported to be illiterate. The average amount of schooling achieved by adults was 7 years.
Nutrition Report – School Year 2023 – 2024
In October 2023, soon after the start of the 2023-2024 school year, staff nutritionists assessed 143 students in primaria through height, weight, and body fat measurements.
Underweight
In the community, 11 cases of deficient malnutrition were detected. The three cases of severe underweight refer to an acute chronic problem that has caused growth retardation (wasting), corresponding with clinical signs such as dry skin and hair and diffuse depigmentation. It is important to note that two of these children are new entrants.
Cases of moderate underweight are close to normal. It is expected that in the next school periods they will be able to recover. Cases of mild malnutrition are mainly seen in children who do not consume food in the dining room.
Health Assessment Results School Year 2023-2024 vs School Year 2022-2023
| Condition | School Year 2023-2024 | School Year 2022-2023 |
|---|---|---|
| Obese | 1% | 3% |
| Overweight | 4% | 5% |
| At risk of overweight | 3% | 20% |
| Normal | 85% | 75% |
| Light underweight | 3% | 1% |
| Moderate | 2% | 0% |
| Severe underweigh | 2% | 1% |
Overweight
There is evidence of a decrease in these problems. This highlights the importance and impact that the program is having on this school population.
Other Issues
In the clinical evaluation conducted, we found that most of the population has fluorosis and varying degrees of caries, ranging from mild to severe, and tooth loss. Some present tartar accumulation evidencing the lack of dental hygiene.
We will continue to consistently provide recommendations for correct nutrition, dental hygiene, sleep hygiene, and hydration, and encourage children who do not consume food in the dining room to do so.
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