Final answer:
The statement most indicative of a cause for a 9-month-old's iron deficiency anemia is giving the baby whole cow’s milk, which can lead to intestinal blood loss and is low in iron, increasing the risk of iron deficiency anemia.
Step-by-step explanation:
Iron deficiency anemia in infants can be caused by various dietary factors. Whole cow’s milk is not recommended for infants under one year because it can lead to intestinal blood loss and is also low in iron, increasing the risk of iron deficiency anemia. Infants at this age should receive iron-fortified cereals or formulas to meet their iron needs. Additionally, until around the age of 6 months, babies typically have sufficient iron stored from their mother's blood while in utero; however, after this age, they require external sources of iron from their diet.
Introducing solid foods, such as meat, which is a rich source of iron, generally starts around 6 months, coinciding with when the natural iron stores begin to deplete. Iron supplements or iron-rich foods are critical at this stage to prevent anemia. On the other hand, while a diet limited in fruits and vegetables can affect overall nutrition, it is less directly related to causing iron deficiency anemia compared to the other listed dietary habits. Solely not liking meat or avoiding iron-fortified cereals without other sources of iron could also contribute, but the intake of whole cow's milk is known to be a direct and common cause of iron deficiency anemia in infants.