Objective To determine the prevalence and associated factors of anemia for children aged 6~23 months in Zhao county and provide evidence for intervention. Methods Participants were children aged 6~23 months in rural Zhao county.All 16 townships were included and 160 villages were randomly selected using Proportional to Population Size (PPS) method according to villages' population.In each village,7 children were randomly selected.The questionnaires were adapted from Maternal,Newborn and Child Health Household Survey tool by the World Health Organization and a smartphone software was used for data collection.Hemoglobin,serum ferritin and C-reaction protein were measured. Results The concentration of hemoglobin for 1 109 children averaged (106.0±14.0) g/L,and anemia prevalence was 55.9%.The anemia prevalence was significantly different among age groups,with 9~11 months being the highest (72.7%) and 18~20 months being the lowest (41.4%).Mild,moderate and severe anemia accounted for 78.4%,20.0% and 1.6% respectively.The median of serum ferritin for 290 children was 7.35 g/L,and the prevalence of iron deficiency was 93.5%.Male,9~11 months,cesarean section,not weaning,not eating iron-rich food or iron medication and lass than recommended dietary frequency were more likely to be anemic. Conclusions The prevalence of children age 6~23 months is very high and most of them are mild anemia and iron deficiency anemia.Inappropriate feeding is an important factors associated with anemia,therefore,effective measures are needed to improve the feeding practice of caregivers and hence to reduce the prevalence of anemia.