# Nutritional status of children under-five in rural Mozambique: the role of phytate intake and mineral bioavailability

## TL;DR

This study examines how phytates in the diets of young children in rural Mozambique reduce the absorption of essential minerals like zinc, iron, and calcium, contributing to undernutrition and stunting.

## Contribution

The study quantifies phytate-to-mineral molar ratios in children's diets and links them to poor mineral bioavailability and stunting.

## Key findings

- 32% of children were stunted, and 13% were overweight, indicating chronic and acute nutritional issues.
- Phytate-to-mineral ratios exceeded recommended thresholds, suggesting poor absorption of zinc, iron, and calcium.
- High phytate intake is identified as a key factor contributing to growth failure in children.

## Abstract

Globally, undernutrition is responsible for over 3.5 million deaths among children under the age of 5. In Mozambique, it remains a major contributing factor to the high rates of child mortality and illness. Essential micronutrients like zinc, iron, and calcium play a vital role in healthy growth and development. However, their absorption is hindered by anti-nutrients such as phytates, which chelate these minerals and reduce their bioavailability. The extent of this inhibitory effect largely depends on the molar ratios of phytate to the respective minerals.

To assess the dietary patterns and quality of diets consumed by young children; with a primary focus on micronutrients adequacy, phytate intake and the implications on mineral bioavailability.

Anthropometric measurements and dietary assessment of 47 children, aged 2 to 5 years, accompanied by their mothers. The method Food Photography 24-h Recall (FP24hR) was used for three consecutive days to evaluate their nutrient intake, which included macronutrients, 15 micronutrients and phytate intake. The estimated mineral bioavailability of the diets was determined based on the phytate-to-mineral molar ratios.

Stunting was found in 32% of children and waste in 6% of them, 2% of children were underweight, and 13% were overweight. Children were found to be at risk of calcium, zinc, vitamins A, E, B12 and folate deficiencies. The molar ratio phytate-to-Zinc (phy:Zn) was between 22.3 and 31.2; phytate-to-Iron (phy:Fe) was between 7.2 and 16.3 and phytate-to-Calcium (phy:Ca) was between 0.34 and 0.53. All the ratios exceeded the recommended values phy:Zn < 15, phy:Fe < 1, and phy:Ca < 0.24, which indicates that phytate in the children’s diet can negatively affect the bioavailability of zinc, iron and calcium.

The high prevalence of stunting among children in this study highlights a persistent issue of chronic undernutrition in the region. The elevated phytate-to-mineral molar ratios suggest a reduced mineral absorption, which is a contributing factor to growth failure in children. These findings underscore the urgent need for targeted nutrition policies in Mozambique to address both dietary quality and phytate content.