Researchers in Mozambique studied 47 young children to understand why many aren’t growing properly. They discovered that while kids aren’t eating enough healthy minerals like zinc and iron, there’s another problem: their food contains substances called phytates that block their bodies from using these minerals. Think of it like having money in your pocket but not being able to spend it. The study found that one-third of the children were too short for their age, a sign of poor nutrition. By understanding how phytates interfere with mineral absorption, doctors and nutritionists can help create better food plans for children in this region.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether substances in food called phytates are preventing children from absorbing important minerals like zinc, iron, and calcium that they need to grow properly.
  • Who participated: 47 children between ages 2 and 5 years old living in rural Mozambique, along with their mothers who reported what the children ate.
  • Key finding: The children’s diets contained too much phytate compared to minerals—especially for zinc (22-31 times too high) and iron (7-16 times too high). This means their bodies couldn’t absorb these minerals well, even when the food contained them.
  • What it means for you: If you live in areas with similar diets heavy in grains and beans, you may need to prepare foods differently (like soaking or sprouting) to reduce phytates and help your body absorb minerals better. However, this is most urgent for children in developing regions with limited food variety.

The Research Details

Researchers measured 47 children’s height, weight, and other body measurements to check their growth. Then they asked mothers what their children ate over three days, using photos to help remember portion sizes accurately. Scientists then calculated how much zinc, iron, calcium, and other nutrients the children consumed, plus how much phytate (a mineral-blocking substance) was in their food. Finally, they used math formulas to figure out how much of each mineral the children’s bodies could actually use based on the phytate levels.

This approach is like taking a snapshot of what children eat and then calculating whether their bodies can actually use the nutrients in that food. The researchers focused on the ratio between phytates and minerals—basically, how much blocker is present compared to the nutrient it blocks.

Understanding what children actually eat is crucial because you can’t fix a problem you don’t understand. By measuring both nutrients and phytates, researchers could see that the problem isn’t just too little food—it’s that the food children eat prevents their bodies from using what’s available. This is important because it points to a solution: changing how food is prepared, not just eating more.

This study is small (47 children), which means results may not apply everywhere. The researchers used a reliable method (food photography) to track what children ate, which is more accurate than just asking from memory. The study was done in one region of Mozambique, so results may differ in other areas. The findings are based on calculations of mineral absorption, not actual measurements of what children’s bodies absorbed, which is a limitation.

What the Results Show

One-third of the children (32%) were stunted, meaning they were too short for their age—a sign of long-term poor nutrition. Only 2% were underweight, but 13% were overweight, showing mixed nutrition problems. When researchers looked at what the children ate, they found the children weren’t getting enough calcium, zinc, vitamins A, E, B12, and folate.

The biggest problem was phytates. The children’s diets had way too much phytate compared to zinc—between 22 to 31 times the recommended safe level. For iron, it was 7 to 16 times too high. Even calcium, which had the best ratio, was still 1.4 to 2 times higher than recommended. These numbers mean that even when food contained these minerals, the children’s bodies couldn’t use them effectively.

This explains why stunting was so common: children weren’t absorbing the minerals they needed for bones and muscles to grow properly, even though some of those minerals were in their food.

The study also found that 6% of children showed signs of wasting (being too thin for their height), which indicates recent weight loss. The mix of stunting, wasting, and overweight children in the same community suggests that some families have access to more food, but the quality and type of food isn’t supporting healthy growth. The vitamin deficiencies found (A, E, B12, and folate) are also concerning because these vitamins support immune function and brain development.

This research fits with what scientists already know: phytates in grains and beans are a real problem in developing countries where these foods are dietary staples. Previous studies showed that phytate-to-mineral ratios matter, and this study confirms those concerns are real in Mozambique. The stunting rate (32%) is higher than some other African countries but consistent with other rural Mozambique data, suggesting this is a widespread regional issue rather than an isolated problem.

The study only included 47 children from rural Mozambique, so results may not apply to urban areas or other countries. Researchers asked mothers what children ate, which depends on memory and honesty. The study only tracked food for three days, which might not represent what children eat year-round (seasonal changes matter). Most importantly, researchers calculated how much minerals children could absorb based on phytate ratios, but didn’t actually measure absorption in children’s bodies. The study didn’t test whether specific food preparation methods would improve the situation.

The Bottom Line

For families in similar situations: soak grains and beans before cooking, sprout seeds when possible, and ferment foods—these methods reduce phytates and improve mineral absorption (moderate confidence). Add vitamin C-rich foods (like citrus or tomatoes) when eating iron-rich foods, as vitamin C helps iron absorption (moderate-to-high confidence). Include animal products (eggs, milk, meat) when possible, as minerals from animal sources are absorbed better and aren’t blocked by phytates (moderate confidence). For policymakers: develop nutrition education programs teaching food preparation methods, and consider fortifying staple foods with minerals (high confidence these would help).

This matters most for families in rural areas of Mozambique and similar regions where grains and beans are the main foods. It’s relevant for parents of young children (under 5) who show signs of poor growth. Healthcare workers and nutritionists in developing countries should pay attention. It’s less immediately relevant for people in developed countries with diverse diets, though the principles apply to anyone eating primarily grain-based diets. This doesn’t mean people should avoid grains and beans—just prepare them better.

Changes in how food is prepared could improve mineral absorption within weeks, but visible growth improvements in children typically take 3-6 months. Stunting (short height) takes much longer to reverse—sometimes 1-2 years of good nutrition. The earlier intervention starts, the better the results, which is why this matters for young children.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track child’s height and weight monthly (or use arm circumference if scales unavailable) to monitor growth. Record the types of grains, beans, and vegetables eaten daily, noting which are soaked or sprouted before cooking. This creates a simple log showing whether food preparation methods are being used.
  • Set a daily reminder to soak beans or grains the night before cooking. Log one vitamin C-rich food eaten with meals containing iron (like beans with tomato sauce). Track weekly whether animal products (eggs, milk, meat) were included in meals. These specific, measurable actions directly address the phytate problem.
  • Monthly growth tracking (height/weight) shows if nutrition is improving. Quarterly food diary reviews show whether families are consistently using phytate-reducing methods. Seasonal tracking helps identify when certain foods are available and when nutrition might dip. Long-term (every 6 months), compare growth charts to see if stunting is improving.

This research describes a specific situation in rural Mozambique and should not be used to diagnose or treat individual children without consulting a healthcare provider. While the findings about phytates and mineral absorption are scientifically sound, individual nutritional needs vary. Parents concerned about their child’s growth should speak with a doctor or registered dietitian. This study is small and regional—results may not apply to all populations. Food preparation changes should be discussed with a healthcare provider, especially for children with existing health conditions or allergies.