In Peru, the latest findings from the 2024 National Demographic and Health Survey (ENDES) show alarming results regarding the nutrition of children under 3 years old. Childhood anemia has increased, reaching 43.7% in this age group. Chronic child malnutrition has also risen, from 11.5% in 2023 to 12.1% in 2024 among children under 5.
What is anemia?
Anemia is a condition in which the body does not have enough healthy red blood cells. Red blood cells carry oxygen to body tissues. To produce them, the body needs specific vitamins and minerals—especially iron, vitamin B12, and folic acid.
There are several types of anemia, but iron‑deficiency anemia is the most common.