Introduction.

Introduction. Iron deficiency anemia is a persistent public health problem, mainly caused by inadequate intake of iron and other nutrients, which must be addressed considering the socio-health characteristics of children and their families. Objective. To describe the dietary and family characteristics and nutritional status of children aged 4 to 36 months with anemia, users of health facilities in Huánuco, Peru. Methods. This was a quantitative, descriptive, observational, ambispective and cross-sectional study. The census population consisted of 97 children aged 4 to 36 months with iron deficiency anemia. A clinical assessment form and an interview guide of the general characteristics of the children were applied. Descriptive statistics were applied. Results. Exclusive breastfeeding 90 (92,8 %), on free demand 82 (84,5 %), the timing of which was before the consumption of each meal 43 (44,3 %), predominated in the dietary characteristics. Complementary feeding was initiated after 7 months of age 48 (49.5 %). Consumption of breakfast, morning snack, lunch, afternoon snack and dinner also predominated 77(79.4 %); a high proportion of children were non-adherent to iron treatment (91.8 %). In family characteristics, a large proportion of the families were nuclear 61 (62.9 %), with the head of the family being the father. In the nutritional status characteristics, a large proportion of children with anemia had a normal nutritional diagnosis 62(63.9 %), followed by a smaller proportion of children with acute malnutrition. Mild anemia was found in 58(59.8 %), followed by a significant proportion with moderate anemia. Conclusion. There are important dietary, family and nutritional status characteristics in children aged 4 to 36 months with anemia to be considered in preventive promotional health interventions.