Browsing by Author "Adom, T."

Now showing 1 - 5 of 5

Effect of fortification of maize with cowpea and iron on growth and anaemia status of children
(African Journal of Food Science 4(4): 136-142, 2010) Adom, T.; Steiner-Asiedu, M.; Sakyi-Dawson, E.; Anderson, A.K.
Iron and iron deficiency anaemia is of concern globally, and most vulnerable are children and women. In Ghana, after six months of age when breast milk is not enough, children are given cereal-based gruels which are poor in nutrients. Addition of cowpea to maize improved nutrient quality but not enough to meet iron needs. We investigated the effect of iron-fortified maize-cowpea blend in controlling iron deficiency anaemia in a high risk population. Fifty-six children aged 6 - 18 months in two peri-urban communities were randomly assigned (i) iron-fortified food or (ii) non-iron fortified food, fed daily for six months. Haemoglobin concentration (Hb), serum iron, total iron-binding capacity (TIBC), transferrin saturation, weight, length and mid upper arm circumference (MUAC) were measured at baseline and at the end of intervention. Generally, growth improved in the iron fortified group over the control group. Iron status was improved in the test group. Significant differences were observed in haemoglobin concentration (1.08±1.43 compared with -0.40±1.72 g/dL, p=0.0009), and the risk of developing anaemia was about 3 times less likely among this group compared to the non-fortified group. The children liked the diets, and preparation did not create an additional burden for mothers. Use of cowpeas and maize are within the socio-cultural context of the people, hence the right vehicle for fortification and has implications for intervention, policy and advocacy.
The Efficacy of Iron-Fortified Weaning Food in improving Iron Status of Infants and Young Children
(University of Ghana, 2000-09) Adom, T.; Steiner-Asiedu, M.; University of Ghana, College of Basic and Applied Sciences, School of Biological Sciences, Department of Nutrition and Food Science
Iron deficiency is the most widespread nutritional problem in the world. It is common throughout childhood and prevalent among 6 - 1 2 month olds or 1 - 2 year olds when 70% and 50% of the respective requirements arise from the rapid rate of tissue growth. Despite large-scale iron supplementation programmes, the prevalence of iron deficiency anaemia remains high especially in developing countries. Low iron intake and poor absorption or bioavailability of iron in the diet can cause negative iron balance in children. This study involved the use of cowpea-fortified fermented maize flour as a vehicle for iron fortification. The efficacy of iron-fortified maize-cowpea flour in improving iron status was investigated in fifty-six (56) infants and young children aged between 6 and 18 months in two peri-urban communities. In addition the effect of treatment on physical growth was measured. Subjects were randomly assigned to one of the two project foods: (i) iron-fortified food (18.4mg Fe/lOOg; n=29) and (ii) non-iron fortified food (7.5mg Fe/lOOg; n=27). The foods were fed daily for six months. Haemoglobin concentrations, serum iron, total ironbinding- capacity, weight, length and mid upper arm circumference (MUAC) were measured at baseline and at the end of the study. The study revealed that about 70% of the subjects were anaemic (defined as haemoglobin concentration < 1 lg/dl) at baseline. Prevalence of malnutrition (defined as Z-scores < - 2 SD for weight-for-length/height, length/height-for-age, weight-for-age, and MUAC < 13.5 cm) was low; stunting was about 11% and wasting 20%. At the end of the intervention period, there was a decrease in the prevalence of anaemia in the iron-fortified group. Significant differences were observed in gain in haemoglobin concentration (1.08 } 1.43 compared with -0.40 } 1.72g/dL, p= 0.0009), length gain (5.11 } 2.13 compared with 3.73 } 2.18cm, p= 0 .020) and MUAC gain (0.37 } 0.93 compared with -0.004 } 0.71, p=0.048) between the iron-fortified and non-iron-fortified groups respectively. There however were no significant differences in serum iron, total iron-binding-capacity, plasma transferrin saturation and weight gain. It could be concluded that the iron fortified maize-cowpea flour is efficacious in controlling anaemia, and in improving linear growth.
Impact of Cowpea-Based Food Containing Fish Meal Served With Vitamin C–Rich Drink on Iron Stores and Hemoglobin Concentrations in Ghanaian Schoolchildren in a Malaria Endemic Area
(Food and nutrition bulletin, 2015-09) Egbi, G.; Ayi, I.; Saalia, F.K.; Zotor, F.; Adom, T.; Harrison, E.; Ahorlu, C.K.; Steiner-Asiedu, M.
Background: Nutritional anemia is a public health problem among Ghanaian schoolchildren. There is need to employ dietary modification strategies to solve this problem through school and household feeding programs. Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of cowpea-based food containing fish meal served with vitamin C-rich drink to improve iron stores and hemoglobin concentrations in Ghanaian schoolchildren. Methods: The study involved cross-sectional baseline and nutrition intervention phases. There were 150 participants of age 6 to 12 years. They were randomly assigned to 3 groups, fish meal -vitamin C (n = 50), vitamin C (n = 50), and control (n = 50), and given different cowpea-based diets for a 6-month period. Height and weight measurements were done according to the standard procedures, dietary data were obtained by 24-hour recall and food frequency questionnaire, hemoglobin concentrations were determined by Hemocue Hemoglobinometer, and serum ferritin and complement-reactive protein (CRP) were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Participants' blood samples were examined for malaria parasitemia and stools for helminthes using Giemsa stain and Kato-Katz techniques, respectively. Results: Mean ferritin concentration was not significantly different among groups. End line mean or change in hemoglobin concentrations between fish meal-vitamin C group (128.4 ± 7.2/8.3 ± 10.6 g/L) and control (123.1 ± 6.6/4.2 ± 10.4 g/L) were different, P < .05. Change in prevalence of anemia in fish meal-vitamin C group (19.5%) was different compared to those of vitamin C group (9.3%) and the control (12.2%). Levels of malaria parasitemia and high CRP among study participants at baseline and end line were 58% and 80% then 55% and 79%, respectively. Level of hookworm infestation was 13%. Conclusion: Cowpea-based food containing 3% fish meal and served with vitamin C-rich drink improved hemoglobin concentration and minimized the prevalence of anemia among the study participant (PDF) Impact of Cowpea-Based Food Containing Fish Meal Served With Vitamin C-Rich Drink on Iron Stores and Hemoglobin Concentrations in Ghanaian Schoolchildren in a Malaria Endemic Area. Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/282045286_Impact_of_Cowpea-Based_Food_Containing_Fish_Meal_Served_With_Vitamin_C-Rich_Drink_on_Iron_Stores_and_Hemoglobin_Concentrations_in_Ghanaian_Schoolchildren_in_a_Malaria_Endemic_Area [accessed Sep 12 2018].
Investigation of Selected Trace and Heavy Metals in Two Tropical Fish Species from the Coastal Waters of Ghana
(International Journal of Science and Technology 3: 40-47, 2013) Nyarko, E.; Foli, B.A.K.; Achel, D.G.; Botwe, B.O.; Adom, T.; Fianko, J.R.; Osae, S.D.
Cadmium (Cd), copper, (Cu), Iron (Fe), lead (Pb), and zinc (Zn) burdens were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS) in two tropical fish species (Chloroscombrus chrysurus and Sardinella maderensis) from the western coast of Ghana. Fish samples were collected during three designated Sampling Periods (January 2008 to March 2008 - Periods 1; September 2008 to November 2008 - Period 2; and February 2009 to March 2009 - Period 3) at three sites (Half-Assini, Aboadze and Elmina). Trace elements and heavy metal concentrations in both species followed the order Fe>Zn>Cu while Cd and Pb were below detection limits. High levels of Fe were detected in the fish samples with concentration ranges of 13.05-376.4 μg/g dw. Levels of Cu generally recorded during Period 1 were above FAO maximum recommended limits of 30 μg/g in fish while Zn burdens were below FAO recommended limit of 40 μg/g. S. maderensis and C. chrysurus, can be considered safe for human consumption with respect to Cd, Pb and Zn contaminations. However, Cu will require further monitoring to protect public health. Hazard quotients and hazard indices computed indicate that metal exposure from consumption of the two fish species will not result in any appreciable health risk. Levels of Cu and Zn recorded may however pose threats to physiological functioning of fish since levels were high enough to cause sublethal effects to fish. Metal burdens studied provide background information prior to the commercial exploitation of oil in Ghana’s marine waters.
Maternal and Infant Lipid-Based Nutritional Supplementation Increases Height of Ghanaian Children at 4–6 Years Only if the Mother Was Not Overweight Before Conception
(The Journal of nutrition, 2019-05) Kumordzie, S.M.; Adu-Afarwuah, S.; Arimond, M.; Young, R.R.; Adom, T.; Boatin, R.; Ocansey, M.E.; Okronipa, H.; Prado, E.L.; Oaks, B.M.; Dewey, K.G.
Background Few studies have evaluated the long-term effects of nutritional supplementation during the first 1000 d of life. We previously reported that maternal and child lipid-based nutrient supplements (LNS) increased child length by 18 mo. Objective The aim of this study was to examine the effects of LNS on later growth and body composition at 4–6 y of age. Design This was a follow-up of children in the International Lipid-based Nutrient Supplements (iLiNS)-DYAD trial in Ghana. Women (n = 1320) at ≤20 weeks of gestation were randomly assigned to: 1) iron and folic acid during pregnancy and 200 mg calcium/d for 6 mo postpartum, 2) multiple micronutrients (1–2 RDA of 18 vitamins and minerals) during both periods, or 3) maternal LNS during both periods plus child LNS from 6 to 18 mo. At 4–6 y, we compared height, height-for-age z score (HAZ), and % body fat (deuterium dilution method) between the LNS group and the 2 non-LNS groups combined. Results Data were available for 961 children (76.5% of live births). There were no significant differences between LNS compared with non-LNS groups in height [106.7 compared with 106.3 cm (mean difference, MD, 0.36; P = 0.226)], HAZ [−0.49 compared with −0.57 (MD = 0.08; P = 0.226)], stunting (< -2 SD) [6.5 compared with 6.3% (OR = 1.00; P = 0.993)], or % body fat [15.5 compared with 15.3% (MD = 0.16; P = 0.630)]. However, there was an interaction with maternal prepregnancy BMI (kg/m2) (P-interaction = 0.046 before correction for multiple testing): among children of women with BMI < 25 , LNS children were taller than non-LNS children (+1.1 cm, P = 0.017), whereas there was no difference among children of women with BMI ≥ 25 (+0.1 cm; P = 0.874). Conclusions There was no overall effect of LNS on height at 4–6 y in this cohort, which had a low stunting rate, but height was greater in the LNS group among children of nonoverweight/obese women. There was no adverse impact of LNS on body composition. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT00970866.