Research from Argentina reveals a significant association between increased calcium intake in children under five and lower rates of stunting, highlighting the importance of nutrient-dense diets in early childhood growth.
A new analysis from Argentina suggests that calcium intake in early childhood is closely linked with a lower likelihood of stunting, especially before the age of five. Researchers at the Centre for Studies on Nutrition Policy and Economics, known as CEPEA, examined data from the country’s Second National Nutrition and Health Survey and found that an extra 100 milligrams of calcium a day was associated with a 6.7 per cent lower prevalence of low height in children under five.
The findings point to dairy foods, fish and vegetables as important sources of the mineral during a period when growth is fastest. The study did not claim that calcium alone causes children to grow taller, but it did show a clear association between greater calcium availability and less stunting. That distinction matters: height is shaped by genetics, overall diet, health and the wider environment, not by a single nutrient.
Dairy intake appeared especially relevant. Among children under five who never or rarely consumed dairy products, the prevalence of low height was 11.6 per cent. That figure fell to 6.6 per cent among those who ate dairy every day. The researchers also modelled what might happen if children who were eating less than one serving of yoghurt a day increased their intake to 120 grams, roughly equivalent to 100 milligrams of calcium. In that scenario, they estimated a 9.2 per cent relative reduction in stunting.
The broader nutrition picture remains important. The UN Food and Agriculture Organisation says one in 10 children in Argentina has growth and development problems. Nutrition specialist María Cabreriso has also stressed the role of protein, which helps build and repair tissues. The message from the study is not that one food can solve growth problems, but that early diets need to be adequate, varied and nutrient-dense if children are to reach their full growth potential.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
