In Peru, anemia is a critical public health issue. According to the 2024 National Demographic and Health Survey (ENDES), 43.7 percent of children under the age of three suffer from anemia, meaning nearly one in two children begins life with limited oxygen flow to the brain and body. At the same time, chronic malnutrition has risen to 12.1 percent among children under five, further compounding risks to growth and development.
Anemia is a condition in which the body lacks enough healthy red blood cells to carry oxygen to its tissues. The most common form, iron-deficiency anemia, occurs when the body does not receive sufficient iron to produce these cells, making proper nutrition essential for both prevention and recovery.