Despite economic growth and improvement of development indicators, Peru has a high prevalence of iron deficiency (ID) and iron deficiency anaemia (IDA), for reasons that are unclear. A complexity of eco-bio-social-political factors underlie anaemia, posing increased pressure on the most marginalised people if not addressed adequately from an integrative sustainable perspective. Most government interventions are aimed at treatment and not prevention.
In this project, we plan to study the complexity of environmental and nutritional factors that alter the mechanisms of iron balance in a group of Peruvian babies, from birth to their first year of life. Children and their mothers will be studied in 3 cities in Peru located on the coast, the Andes and the Amazon. Various measurements and samples of water, blood, faeces will be made; baby size measurement, interviews, nutritional observation and focus groups with participating mothers will be collected. Social and political factors, through policy analysis and participant observation, interviews and focus groups will also be analysed.