What dietary deficiency is associated with anemia?

Anemia can result from various dietary deficiencies, and one of the most common is iron deficiency. Iron plays a crucial role in hemoglobin synthesis, which is essential for the transport of oxygen in the blood. When the body lacks sufficient iron, it cannot produce enough hemoglobin, leading to the condition known as iron-deficiency anemia.

In addition to iron, deficiencies in folic acid and vitamin B12 can also lead to anemia, but these typically result in a different type known as megaloblastic anemia, characterized by larger-than-normal red blood cells.

While vitamin C is important for the absorption of iron from plant-based foods, its deficiency does not directly cause anemia in the same way that iron deficiency does. Thus, iron deficiency anemia is the most directly linked dietary deficiency associated with anemia, making it the correct choice in this context.