EsSalud urges Peruvian families to celebrate Children’s Day by prioritising nutritious foods, addressing rising concerns over childhood anaemia and obesity through innovative, appealing healthy choices and early intervention strategies.
EsSalud is urging Peruvian families to mark Children’s Day on Sunday 16 August by putting healthier food at the centre of the celebration, warning that childhood nutrition problems now run in two directions: anaemia and excess weight. Through its “Crecer sano, crecer feliz” campaign, the social security health provider says the holiday can be an opportunity to build habits that support children’s physical, cognitive and emotional development.
The message comes against a backdrop of worrying national data. In February 2026, Peru’s Ministry of Health said one in five schoolchildren aged five to 11 had anaemia, while rates of overweight and obesity were also climbing. The ministry said the figures show the need for stronger prevention efforts from early childhood, as poor nutrition can affect both growth and long-term health.
EsSalud recommends turning the table into something attractive as well as nutritious. Its suggestions include fruit cut into playful shapes, unsweetened fruit drinks, snacks made with Andean grains, and meals that include iron-rich foods such as sangrecita, along with staples like quinoa and oats. The aim, the agency says, is to make healthier choices appealing without relying on ultra-processed products.
The guidance reflects a broader public health push. EsSalud has promoted healthy eating for children for years, including its earlier “Come sano, vive sano” campaign, which encouraged parents to reduce sugary and highly processed foods and to pay more attention to balanced meals, breastfeeding and nutritious school lunches. The institution’s growth and development control programme also seeks to detect nutrition problems early in children and adolescents up to 17, so treatment can begin before delays or complications develop.
Isabel Leandro, a nutritionist at the Edgardo Rebagliati Hospital, said families can make healthy food more appealing through simple preparations such as fruit skewers, carved fruit, tuna croquettes, sangrecita fried rice and pancakes topped with tuna honey. She also advised parents to limit sweets and processed snacks and to read food labels and warning symbols more carefully. EsSalud’s message is straightforward: a celebration can still feel like a treat while helping children eat better, grow well and stay healthy.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
