Department of Nutrition and Dietetics
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Item 3.6 Million Neonatal Deaths-What Is Progressing and What Is Not?(Seminars in Perinatology, 2010-12) Lawn, J.E.; Kerber, K.; Enweronu-Laryea, C.; Cousens, S.Each year 3.6 million infants are estimated to die in the first 4 weeks of life (neonatal period)-but the majority continue to die at home, uncounted. This article reviews progress for newborn health globally, with a focus on the countries in which most deaths occur-what data do we have to guide accelerated efforts? All regions are advancing, but the level of decrease in neonatal mortality differs by region, country, and within countries. Progress also differs by the main causes of neonatal death. Three major causes of neonatal deaths (infections, complications of preterm birth, and intrapartum-related neonatal deaths or "birth asphyxia") account for more than 80% of all neonatal deaths globally. The most rapid reductions have been made in reducing neonatal tetanus, and there has been apparent progress towards reducing neonatal infections. Limited, if any, reduction has been made in reducing global deaths from preterm birth and for intrapartum-related neonatal deaths. High-impact, feasible interventions to address these 3 causes are summarized in this article, along with estimates of potential for lives saved. A major gap is reaching mothers and babies at birth and in the early postnatal period. There are promising community-based service delivery models that have been tested mainly in research studies in Asia that are now being adapted and evaluated at scale and also being tested through a network of African implementation research trials. To meet Millennium Development Goal 4, more can and must be done to address neonatal deaths. A critical step is improving the quantity, quality and use of data to select and implement the most effective interventions and strengthen existing programs, especially at district level. © 2010 Elsevier Inc.Item African diet: A toxic/protective dilemma(Transworld Research Network, Kerala, India, 2009) Mossanda, K.S.; Asare, G. A.Food shortages and high prevalence of poverty-related chronic diseases including HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis have culminated in health crisis in African continent. The diet of the majority of African populations consists largely of maize and cassava flour. Apart from being deficient in essential amino-acids, important vitamins and micronutrients, maize and cassava flour are prone to fungal infestation and thus to contamination by mycotoxins which increases the risk of cancer development mostly in HIV/AIDS individuals. In addition, digestive cancers and especially squamous cell carcinoma of the oesophagus (SCCE) are become the most common cancers in Southern African black men (incidence: 14.5%). Among other factors including hepatitis B and C, excessive intake of dietary iron as a result of drinking homebrewed in iron pots constitutes one of the most important factors leading into hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Alcohol consumption has been also implicated in the aetiology of both SCCE associated with cigarette smoking, low intake of dietary antioxidants, consumption of compounds such as polycyclic hydrocarbons, nitrosamines, heterocyclic amines found in African diet and HCC associated with increased hepatic iron stores inducing successively fibrosis and cirrhosis which finally progress into liver cancer. Despite our progress in antioxidant, environmental, genetic and carcinogenic studies, the mechanism of induction of those two types of cancer is still not fully understood. Our histological findings and the immuno-histochemistry evidence of DNA damage by the presence in situ (biopsies) of 8-hydroxy-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) and that of lipid peroxidation by the presence in situ of 4-hydroxy-nonenal (4-HNE) increasing with the disease progression, have provided a consistent correlation between low intake of dietary antioxidant and the occurrence of carcinoma. In contrast to those toxicological aspects of African diet leading to the occurrence of digestive and liver cancers in African populations, an expanding body of evidence from epidemiological and laboratory studies demonstrated that edible plant as whole, or their ingredients have substantial protective effects on human carcinogenesis. We have recently demonstrated the anti-oxidative and anti-mutagenic properties of some African indigenous edible plants: Bambara groundnut (Vignea subterranean) and beverage: Rooi bos tea (Aspalathus linearis). Their chemo-preventive and antiinflammatory activities have been tested in cell culture using human breast epithelial (MCF-10A) cells and in animal model using mouse skin. Methanolic extracts of some other African plants (Sutherlandia fructescens and Harpagophytum procumbens) used as beverages showed inhibition of 12-O-tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13 acetate (TPA)- induced cyclo-oxygenase (COX-2) expression in mouse skin, which appears to be mediated through blocking of catalytic activity of extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase (ERK) and through inhibition of activator protein-1 (AP-1) and cylic AMP response element binding (CREB) protein activation, suggesting their chemopreventive and chemo-protective activities. Due to the fact that inhibition of COX-2 is now regarded as an effective and promising strategy for prevention of anti-inflammatory process precluding the initiation and tumor stage, more research on African food plants and beverages should be conducted using this strategy in order to understand the molecular mechanism underlying those specific activities. In the light of these data, the extensive use of African foodstuffs and beverage bearing preventive and protective factors should be recommend in the diet of African populations for reducing the incidence of digestive and liver cancers in those areas.Item Analysis of fatty acids in Ghee and olive oil and their probable causal effect in lipoid pneumonia(Medical Journal of Indonesia, 2010-11) Mirghani, Z.; Zein, T.; Annoble, S.; Winter, J.; Mostafa, R.Aim: To analyze and identify the fatty acids found in homemade ghee and in olive oil and compare those to fatty acids found in bronchoalevolar lavage of children with lipoid pneumonia. Methods: The fatty acids found in homemade fat ”Ghee” and olive oil were analyzed by gas chromatography. Methyl ester derivatives suitable for GC analysis were prepared directly from olive oil or from Ghee using anhydrous methanolic-HCl. Bronchoscopy and bronchoalevolar lavage was performed in eight children aged between 2 and 4 years, all with history of using homemade ghee and/or olive oil in the recumbent position. Results: The analysis of fatty acids in Ghee and olive oil show similar gas chromatographic pattern as those of bronchoalevolar lavage. Conclusion: The three fatty acids responsible for the deleterious effects of lipoid pneumonia were identified. Lipoid pneumonia should be one of the differentials diagnosis in children presenting with respiratory distress. © 2010, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia. All rights reserved.Item Appetitive and dietary effects of consuming an energy-dense food (peanuts) with or between meals by snackers and non-snackers.(Hindawi Publishing Corporation, 2011) Devitt, A.A.; Kuevi, A.; Coelho, S.B.; Lartey, A.; Lokko, P.; Costa, N.; Bressan, J.; Mattes, R.D.Background. Energy-dense foods are inconsistently implicated in elevated energy intake (EI). This may stem from other food properties and/or differences in dietary incorporation, that is, as snacks or with meals. Objective. Assess intake pattern and food properties on acute appetitive ratings (AR) and EI. Design. 201 normal and overweight adults consuming a standard lunch. Test loads of 1255.2 kJ (300 kcal) were added to the lunch or provided as snack. Loads (peanuts, snack mix, and snack mix with peanuts) were energy, macronutrient, and volumetrically matched with a lunch portion as control. Participants completed meal and snack sessions of their randomly assigned load. Results. No differences were observed in daily EI or AR for meal versus snack or treatment versus control. Consumption of peanuts as a snack tended to strengthen dietary compensation compared to peanuts or other loads with a meal. Conclusions. Inclusion of an energy-dense food as a snack or meal component had comparable influence on AR and EI. Peanuts tended to elicit stronger dietary compensation when consumed as a snack versus with a meal. If substantiated, this latter observation suggests that properties other than those controlled here (energy, macronutrient content, and volume) modify AR and EI.Item Assessing program coverage of two approaches to distributing a complementary feeding supplement to infants and young children in Ghana(Public Library of Science, 2016) Aaron, G.J.; Strutt, N.; Boateng, N.A.; Guevarra, E.; Siling, K.; Norris, A.; Ghosh, S.; Nyamikeh, M.; Attiogbe, A.; Burns, R.; Foriwa, E.; Toride, Y.; Kitamura, S.The work reported here assesses the coverage achieved by two sales-based approaches to distributing a complementary food supplement (KOKO Plus™) to infants and young children in Ghana. Delivery Model 1 was conducted in the Northern Region of Ghana and used a mixture of health extension workers (delivering behavior change communications and demand creation activities at primary healthcare centers and in the community) and petty traders recruited from among beneficiaries of a local microfinance initiative (responsible for the sale of the complementary food supplement at market stalls and house to house). Delivery Model 2 was conducted in the Eastern Region of Ghana and used a market-based approach, with the product being sold through micro-retail routes (i.e., small shops and roadside stalls) in three districts supported by behavior change communications and demand creation activities led by a local social marketing company. Both delivery models were implemented sub-nationally as 1-year pilot programs, with the aim of informing the design of a scaled-up program. A series of cross-sectional coverage surveys was implemented in each program area. Results from these surveys show that Delivery Model 1 was successful in achieving and sustaining high (i.e., 86%) effective coverage (i.e., the child had been given the product at least once in the previous 7 days) during implementation. Effective coverage fell to 62% within 3 months of the behavior change communications and demand creation activities stopping. Delivery Model 2 was successful in raising awareness of the product (i.e., 90% message coverage), but effective coverage was low (i.e., 9.4%). Future programming efforts should use the health extension / microfinance / petty trader approach in rural settings and consider adapting this approach for use in urban and periurban settings. Ongoing behavior change communications and demand creation activities is likely to be essential to the continued success of such programming.Item Assessment Of Malnutrition In Patients Undergoing Chemotherapy At The National Oncology Centre Of The Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, Accra, Ghana(African Health Sciences, 2023) Akpah, M.C.I.; Kegey, O.; Nortey, E.; et al.Background: Globally, cancer is on the rise, despite several interventions. The link between nutrition and cancer has long been established, with the consequences of poor nutrition on the cancer pathway being dire. Early nutrition intervention is recommended for all cancer patients. Objective: To assess malnutrition among patients undergoing chemotherapy at the National Radiotherapy Oncology and Nuclear Medicine Centre of the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH) in Accra, Ghana. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 123 patients with different types and stages of cancer who were undergoing chemotherapy. Data was collected from December 2018 to January 2019. The PG-SGA tool was used to assess weight loss at one and six months; food intake and nutrition impact symptoms. A correlation test was used to test the association between the PGSGA score and nutritional triaging. A T-test was used to determine the association between chemotherapy cycles and nutrition. A p-value <0.05 was considered to be significant. Results: The results revealed that 5.7% (n= 7) of the patients were well nourished, and 31.7% (n= 39) were suspected of being malnourished, and 62.6% (n = 77) were severely malnourished. About half of the participants (48%) had experienced weight loss ranging between 1 and 20 kg, with weight loss ≤5kg being most prevalent at both one and six months prior to the study. More than half (56.9%, n = 70) of the participants were consuming less than their usual intake. The majority of the participants had 4-6 nutritional symptoms (39.0%), with symptoms being mostly mild (39.1%). Poor nutritional status was positively correlated with nutritional symptoms (r = 0.747, p<0.001). Conclusion: The PGSGA tool identified that more than half of the patients were severely malnourished, hence the need for early nutrition intervention in cancer patients.Item Beneficial effect of long-chain n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid supplementation on tuberculosis in mice(Elsevier, 2021) Nienaber, A.; Oztur, M.; Dolman, R.C.; Zandberg, L.; Hayford, F.E.A.; Brombacher, F.; Blaauw, R.; Smuts, C.M.; Pariha, S.P.; Malan, L.Intakes of the omega-3 essential fatty acids (n-3 EFAs) are low in the general adult population, with high n-6/n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) ratios and the accompanying suboptimal n-3 PUFA status. Eicosapentaenoic (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) have antibacterial and inflammation-resolving effects in tuberculosis (TB). However, whether switching to a diet with optimum n-3 EFA intake after the infection has comparable benefits has not been investigated. We aimed to compare the effects of a diet with sufficient n-3 EFA content in an acceptable n-6/n-3 PUFA ratio for rodents ((n-3)eFAS group) with those on the same diet supplemented with EPA and DHA (EPA/DHA group) in Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb)-infected C3HeB/FeJ mice with a low n-3 PUFA status. Mice were conditioned on an n-3 PUFA-deficient diet with a high n-6/n-3 PUFA ratio for 6 weeks before Mtb infection and randomized to either (n-3)eFAS or EPA/DHA diets 1 week post-infection for 3 weeks. At endpoint, EPA and DHA compositions were higher and arachidonic acid, osbond acid, and total n-6 LCPUFAs lower in all lipid pools measured in the EPA/DHA group (all P < 0.001). Percentage body weight gain was higher (P = 0.017) and lung bacterial load lower (P < 0.001) in the EPA/DHA group. Additionally, the EPA/DHA group had a more pro-resolving lung lipid mediator profile and lower lung in IL-1α and IL-1β concentrations (P = 0.023, P = 0.049). Inverse correlations were found between the lung and peripheral blood mononuclear cell EPA and DHA and selected pro-inflammatory cytokines. These are the first findings that indicate that EPA/DHA supplementation provides benefits superior to a diet with sufficient n-3 EFAs concerning bacterial killing, weight gain and lung inflammation resolution in Mtb-infected mice with a low n-3 PUFA status. Therefore, EPA and DHA may be worth considering as adjunct TB treatment.Item Body composition is related to cognitive function among young adults in Ghana(BMC Psychology, 2024) Fabea, L.; Intiful, F.D.; Hatsu, I.E.; Larry‑Afutu, J.; Boateng, L.Background A growing body of evidence suggests that obesity can affect cognitive function. However, it is unclear whether this effect is independent of obesity-related comorbidities. This study thus sought to determine the association between body composition and cognitive function of young adults in Ghana with less predisposition to obesityrelated comorbidities. Methods A cross-sectional study design was employed, involving 381 participants recruited by simple random sampling. After consenting, participants completed questionnaires that assessed sociodemographic characteristics, along with assessments for anthropometric measures and cognitive function. Analyses for associations were conducted by either Pearson’s correlation test or chi-Square test of independence. Results Over half (60%) of participants were females and 69.6% were in the first year with a mean age of 20.18 ± 2.52 years. Based on Pearson’s correlation test, no significant association was found between Body Mass Index (BMI) and Waist to Hip Ratio (WHR), and Trail Making Test-A and B (TMT-A and TMT-B). Nonetheless, a chisquare test showed a significant association, between BMI and TMT-A (p = 0.01), and WHR and both TMT-A (p = 0.001) and TMT-B (p = 0.02). Weak direct correlations were found between body fat percentage and TMT-A (r = 0.120, p = 0.019) and TMT-B (r = 0.133, p = 0.009). Further, a weak inverse correlation was found between muscle mass and TMT-A (r = − 0.141, p = 0.006) and TMT-B (r = − 0.144, p = 0.005). Conclusion High body fat, low muscle mass and body fat distribution may have a significant association with cognitive functions and must be considered in obesity interventions. This study provided more insight on the association between BMI and cognitive function and would be helpful in designing new weight management interventions or modifying existing interventions to consider the influence of obesity on cognitive function.Item Breakfast habits among school children in selected communities in the eastern region of Ghana(Ghana medical journal, 2014-06) Intiful, F.D.; Lartey, A.Breakfast is considered the most important meal of the day, yet many people skip breakfast. Studies indicate that school age children who regularly skip breakfast are not likely to concentrate in class, thus affecting school performance. This study determined the breakfast habits and nutrient contributions of the breakfast meal to the days' nutrient intake. A cross sectional study was conducted among school children (n=359) between the ages of 6-19 years in Manya Krobo in the Eastern Region of Ghana. Questionnaires were used to collect information on background characteristics and breakfast consumption habits. The 24-hour dietary recall method was used to obtain information on the children's food intake. T-test was used to compare differences between means of variables of breakfast consumers and skippers. About 85.5% of the children had breakfast on the day of interview. More boys (87.8%) consumed breakfast compared to the girls (83.1%). For those who skipped breakfast, lack of food at home or lack of no money (36.5%) was the main reason. Breakfast consumers had significantly higher energy and nutrient intakes than those who skipped breakfast (energy 2259 verses 1360 kcal, p-0.039; vitamin A 1534 verses 662 ug/RE, p=0.001; iron 22.9 verses 13.9 mg, p=0.017, zinc 9.9 verses 5.6 mg, p=0.034). The breakfast meal contributed between 32-41% of the day's energy intake, and between 30-47% of micronutrient intake. Encouraging breakfast consumption among school children is a way to ensure that they meet their daily nutrient and energy intakes.Item Coconut oil and palm oil’s role in nutrition, health and national development: A review(Ghana Medical Journal, 2016-09) Boateng, L.; Ansong, R.; Owusu, W.B.; Steiner-Asiedu, M.Coconut and palm oils which were the major sources of dietary fats for centuries in most of West Africa have been branded as unhealthy highly saturated fats. Their consumption has been peddled to supposedly raise the level of blood cholesterol, thereby increasing the risk of coronary heart disease. This adverse view has led to a reduction in their consumption in West Africa and they have been substituted for imported vegetable oils. Recent information however, indicates some beneficial effects of these oils particularly their roles in nutrition, health and national development. There is the need for a better understanding of their effects on health, nutritional status and national development. This paper therefore attempts to review the roles which coconut and palm oils play in these respects in developing countries, as a means of advocating for a return to their use in local diets.Item Comparative study of the nutritional composition of local brown rice, maize (obaatanpa), and millet—A baseline research for varietal complementary feeding(Food Science & Nutrition, 2020-03-16) Yankah, N.; Intiful, F.D.; Tette, E.M.A.Introduction: Childhood malnutrition remains a major public health issue of concern particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, and inadequate complementary feeding is a common cause. Promoting dietary diversity is one way of tackling this problem. High dependence on maize has its limitations; modifying other local staples into complementary foods can be a feasible alternative to promote optimum nutrition. Objectives: Comparing the nutritional composition of brown rice to millet and maize to determine its beneficial value as complementary food. Methods: Experimental study was carried out at the Department of Nutrition and Food Science of University of Ghana. Samples of maize, millet, and brown rice were obtained from the Ministry of Agriculture, Accra and nutritional contents analyzed. Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 20.0 and ANOVA were used to assess differences. Results: Results showed brown rice contained the highest content of carbohydrates (77.94 ± 0.32) % and zinc (12.15 ± 0.21) mg while millet had the highest protein (10.49 ± 0E-7) mg and fat (4.99 ± 0.46) % content. Maize contained highest amount of calcium (21.24 ± 0.14) mg. Iron was only found in millet (10.72 ± 0.15) mg. The zinc content per 100 g of all three (3) cereals was above RDA. All three (3) cereals contributed significantly <10% to the RDA of calcium. Iron content of millet contributed more than 90% to RDA. Conclusions: Locally produced brown rice is rich in zinc and carbohydrates compared to millet and maize. Thus, can be used for complementary feed but, given the low protein and iron content, it may need to be fortified or diversified and used as a cereal blend.Item Comparing dietary macronutrient composition and food sources between native and diasporic Ghanaian adults(Food & Nutrition Research, 2015-11) Gibson, R.; Knight, A.; Asante, M.; Thomas, J.; Goff, L.M.Background : Dietary acculturation may contribute to the increased burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in diasporic populations of African ancestry. Objective : To assess nutritional composition and the contribution that traditional foods make to the diets of native and UK-dwelling Ghanaian adults. Design : An observational study of Ghanaian adults living in Accra ( n 26) and London ( n 57) was undertaken. Three-day food records were translated to nutrient data using culturally sensitive methods and comparisons were made for energy, macronutrients, and dietary fibre between cohorts. The contribution of traditional foods to dietary intake was measured and the foods contributing to each nutrient were identified. Results : Compared to native Ghanaians, UK-Ghanaians derived a significantly higher proportion of energy from protein (16.9 9 3.9 vs. 14.1 9 2.8%, p 0.001), fat (29.9 9 7.9 vs. 24.4 9 8.5%, p 0.005), and saturated fat (8.5 9 3.4 vs. 5.8 9 3.7%, p B 0.001) and a significantly lower energy from carbohydrate (52.2 9 7.7 vs. 61.5 9 9.3%, p B 0.001). Dietary fibre intake was significantly higher in the UK-Ghanaian diet compared to the native Ghanaian diet (8.3 9 3.1 vs. 6.7 9 2.2 g/1,000 kcal, p 0.007). There was significantly less energy, macro- nutrients, and fibre derived from traditional foods post-migration. Non-traditional foods including breakfast cereals, wholemeal bread, and processed meats made a greater contribution to nutrient intake post-migration. Conclusions : Our findings show the migrant Ghanaian diet is characterised by significantly higher intakes of fat, saturated fat, and protein and significantly lower intakes of carbohydrate; a macronutrient profile which may promote increased risk of NCDs amongst UK-Ghanaians. These differences in the nutrient profile are likely to be modulated by the consumption of ‘Western’ foods observed in migrant communities.Item Contributions of Dietary Protein and Zinc Deficiencies to Protein Energy Malnutrition(Ghana Medical Journal, 1990-03) Asibey-Berko, E.Some degree of zinc deficiency seems present in all cases of Protein-Energy malnutrition. Protein Energy Malnutrition (PEM) was induced in male Wister rats fed either adequate (30ppm) or moderately deficient levels of zinc (6ppm) in diets containing either 0.4 01' 20% spray-dried egg white. The protein-deficient rats developed PEM with oedema in 4 - 5 weeks regardless of their dietary zinc level. Except for disorders of the brain, protein deficiency was the major cause of most PEM signs - loss of appetite, growth failure, oedema, water accumulation in the liver, hypalbuminaemia and mortality. Dietary zinc deficiency aggravated some of these to a small extent. Dietary zinc alone accounted for elevations of brain iron and sodium in both PEM and non PEM rats. This suggests that zinc deficiency may significantly contribute to some of the symptoms of PEM.Item Dietary intake as a cardiovascular risk factor: a cross-sectional study of bank employees in Accra(South African Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 2018-10) Frimpong, I.P.; Asante, M.; Maduforo, A.N.Objectives: To determine the dietary and nutrient intakes of bank employees in Accra in relation to recommended dietary intake for the control of cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Design: The study was a cross-sectional study. Methodology: A structured validated questionnaire was used to obtain demographics. A 3-day 24-hour dietary recall and usual food intake questionnaire were used to obtain information on food intakes and dietary pattern of the respondents. Food models, household measures and photos of common dishes as well as household cups and measures were used in order to obtain accurate information regarding the types and quantities of foods and beverages consumed. Subjects: Convenient sampling was used to select bank branches while simple random sampling by ballot without replacement was used to select 119 bank employees who consented to participate in the study. Outcome measures: Data were analysed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences software. Esha FPro software was used to analyse food nutrients. The nutrient intakes were compared with a standard dietary guideline for adults. Results: Findings showed significant (p < 0.05) differences in mean energy intake between males and females. Also, the bank employees were consuming more fat (32%) compared with the recommended intake. The average intake of dietary sodium and cholesterol was within the recommended intake levels. All the participants in the study had a mean intake of dietary potassium, fibre, fruits and vegetables below the recommended levels. The major cooking oils used in meal preparation were vegetable and palm oil (46%), followed by vegetable oil (31.9%) and palm oil (21.8%). Conclusions: The study evaluated the dietary intake of bank employees, which is an important risk factor for chronic diseases. There is a need to develop plans to provide nutrition education and counselling for adequate nutrient intake and prevention of chronic diseases among bank employees. Layman's summary: Obtaining an adequate diet and avoiding overconsumption of food helps to maintain health. Intake of foods containing high energy and fats without corresponding energy expenditure through physical activity could result in obesity, heart diseases, diabetes and other health challenges. Inadequate intake of micronutrients as well could result in deficiency diseases, and depresses the immune system and health of individuals. Bank employees and all other individuals need to pay attention to what they eat to live a healthy and longer life. Regular physical activity, following the dietary approaches to avoid hypertension and regular medical check-up are essential for cardiovascular health. Strong lay message: Inadequate or overconsumption of nutrients can cause chronic heart diseases.Item Dietary iron overload in the African and hepatocellular carcinoma.(Wiley Blackwell, Blackwell publishing, MA, 2007) Kew, C.M.; Asare, A.G.Dietary iron overload occurs commonly in parts of sub-Saharan Africa. It results from the consumption of large volumes of traditional beer that is home-brewed in iron pots or drums and consequently has a high iron content. The liver becomes iron overloaded and may develop portal fibrosis or, less often, cirrhosis. A genetic predisposition to the condition has been suggested, but no putative gene has yet been identified. Although originally believed not to cause hepatocellular carcinoma, recent case-control studies have shown African Blacks with dietary iron overload to be at increased risk for the tumour and a causal association has been confirmed in an animal model. The mechanisms of iron-induced malignant transformation are yet to be fully characterised, but the close association between cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with hereditary haemochromatosis and the lesser association in those with dietary iron overload, suggests that chronic necroinflammatory hepatic disease contributes to the malignant transformation. Increased hepatic iron may, however, also be directly carcinogenic. Probable mechanisms include the generation of reactive oxygen intermediates and the resultant chronic oxidative stress that damages hepatocytes and proteins, causes lipid peroxidation, and induces strand breaks, DNA unwinding, and mutations in tumour-suppressor genes and critical DNA repair genes.Item Dietary patterns associated with body mass index in selected adult populations in Accra, Ghana(HSI Journal, 2024) Alo, B.; Ainuson-Quampah, J.; Towu, R.; Amoako-Mensah, A.; Akuetteh, N.T.; Asante, M.Background: Dietary pattern analysis is more appropriate for explaining diet-disease relationships instead of single nutrients in the treatment and prevention of diet and diseases. Objective: The study aimed to identify dietary patterns and explore their association with body mass index among adults in selected areas in Accra. Methods: This was a retrospective study comprising four (4) cross-sectional studies among healthy adults in the Greater Accra region of Ghana. Appropriately designed/pre-tested questionnaires submitted by 208 respondents were analysed for food patterns using principal component analysis to estimate pattern scores for each food item. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Results: Eight dietary patterns explaining 54.8% of the variation in the dietary intake of the study participants were identified. These were the traditional pattern, combined pattern, major protein pattern, modified pattern, white and red meat pattern, sweets and pastries pattern, rare dietary pattern and vegetables with moisture pattern. The mean BMI of the population was 23.1 ± 3.9 kg/m2 , with the prevalence of underweight, normal weight, overweight and obese observed to be 5.8%, 68.3%, 19.7%, and 6.2%, respectively. The traditional dietary pattern and the sweets and pastries patterns were significantly associated with BMI (p < 0.05 and p ˂ 0.001, respectively). Conclusion: Eight (8) dietary patterns were identified. The traditional sweets and pastries patterns were found to be related to weight gainItem Disordered eating habits among adolescents(Psychology of Habits, 2014) Amos, P.M.; Intiful, F.D.; Antwi, T.; Ammah, C.; Pobee, R.A.Disordered eating habits among adolescents remains a major global problem that can affect their physical, mental and behavioral development. In spite of the advances that have been made in feeding practices, adolescents in many environments consume diets that are nutritionally inadequate, in that they do not provide adequate amounts of essential nutrients. Adolescence is a period which is critical and characterized by various growth spurts. Some of these growth spurts are psychological and emotional. Good dietary habits have also been found to be crucial in the development and growth of the adolescent during these periods. These psychological and emotional changes can lead to eating disorders if not well attended to. The three main types of disordered eating habits that can affect adolescents are anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorder. In this review the use of a multidisciplinary approach in ensuring optimum adolescent growth was addressed. This approach included the use of parents/care-takers, teachers, dieticians, clinical psychologists and counsellors to ensure healthy eating habits of some adolescents. The results indicated the invaluable contribution of all the stakeholders in achieving good nutrition among adolescents. © 2014 by Nova Science Publishers, Inc. All rights reserved.Item Effects of exogenous antioxidants on dietary iron overload.(The Society for Free Radical Research, Japan, 2009) Asare, G. A.; Kew, M.C.; Mossanda, K.S.; Paterson, A.C.; Siziba, K.; Kahler-Venter, C.P.In dietary iron overload, excess hepatic iron promotes liver damage. The aim was to attenuate free radical-induced liver damage using vitamins. Four groups of 60 Wistar rats were studied: group 1 (control) was fed normal diet, group 2 (Fe) 2.5% pentacarbonyl iron (CI) followed by 0.5% Ferrocene, group 3 (Fe + V gp) CI, Ferrocene, plus vitamins A and E (42x and 10x RDA, respectively), group 4 (Fe - V gp) CI, Ferrocene diet, minus vitamins A and E. At 20 months, glutathione peroxidase (GPx), superoxide dismutase (SOD), Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity (ORAC), Ames mutagenicity test, AST, ALT and 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE) immunohistochemistry were measured. 8OHdG levels of the Fe + V and Fe - V groups were 346 +/- 117 and 455 +/- 151, ng/g w.wt, respectively. Fe + V and Fe - V differences were significant (p<0.005). A positive correlation between DNA damage and mutagenesis existed (p<0.005) within the iron-fed gps. AST levels for Fe + V and Fe - V groups were 134.6 +/- 48.6 IU and 202.2 +/- 50.5 IU, respectively. Similarly, ALT levels were 234.6 +/- 48.3 IU and 329.0 +/- 48.6 IU, respectively. However, Fe - V and Fe + V groups transaminases were statistically insignificant. 4-HNE was detected in Fe + V and Fe - V gp livers. Vitamins A and E could not prevent hepatic damage.Item Effects of peanut processing on body weight and fasting plasma lipids.(2010) McKiernan, F.; Lokko, P.; Kuevi, A.; Sales, R.L.; Costa, N.M.; Bressan, J.; Alfenas, R.C.; Mattes, R.D.Peanuts and peanut butter are commonly consumed as a snack, meal component and ingredient in various commercial products. Their consumption is associated with reduced CVD risk and they pose little threat to positive energy balance. However, questions have arisen as to whether product form (e.g. whole nut v. butter) and processing properties (e.g. roasting and adding flavours) may compromise their positive health effects. The present study investigated the effects of peanut form and processing on two CVD risk factors: fasting plasma lipids and body weight. One hundred and eighteen adults (forty-seven males and seventy-one females; age 292 (sd 84)years; BMI 300 (sd 45)kg/m2) from Brazil, Ghana and the United States were randomised to consume 56g of raw unsalted (n 23), roasted unsalted (n 24), roasted salted (n 23) or honey roasted (n 24) peanuts, or peanut butter (n 24) daily for 4 weeks. Peanut form and processing did not differentially affect body weight or fasting plasma lipid responses in the total sample. However, HDL-cholesterol increased significantly at the group level, and total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and TAG concentrations decreased significantly in individuals classified as having elevated fasting plasma lipids compared with those with normal fasting plasma lipids. These observations suggest that the processing attributes assessed in this trial do not compromise the lipid-lowering effects of peanuts, and do not negatively impact body weight. Further studies are warranted to determine the effects of form and processing on other health risk factors.Item Evaluation of diets served to cancer patients in oncology ward of university of Nigeria teaching hospital, Ituku/Ozalla, Enugu State(Asian Network for Scientific Information, 2016) Onah, O.T.; Unamba, B.; Anyaogu, C.; Nwosu, O.I.C.; Olebu, J.; Ndiokwelu, C.I.; Maduforo, A.N.; Okwy-Nweke, C.P.; Eberechukwu, N.; Ogbonna, P.C.Nutrient adequacy of selected High Calorie High Protein diet served to cancer patients in Oncology ward of University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH) Ituku/Ozalla Enugu was evaluated. The objectives were to find out what constitutes a high protein/calorie diets in the therapeutic diet kitchen, to determine the proximate and selected micronutrient composition of high protein/high calorie diet served to the cancer patients and to ascertain the adequacy of those diets using the nutrient density relative to standard values. Recipes of the foods consumed by cancer patients were collated from the menu of therapeutic diet kitchen in UNTH. A total of 14 most frequently consumed foods were sampled using frequency distribution table (the foods sampled include: beans and yam pottage, vegetable yam pottage, boiled yam, garri, okpa, moimoi, pap, fish, stew, rice, bitterleaf soup, okro soup and egusi soup and meat). The samples were analyzed in the laboratory to determine the proximate and micronutrient compositions. The results were subjected to statistical analysis to determine the mean and standard deviations and also, the nutrient densities were determined and compared with standards. The proximate composition showed that the diets served contain average of 79.95±17.95 g of protein, 51.39±19.58 g of fat, 635.29±128.32 g of carbohydrates daily making up an energy value of 3323.42±329.38 kcal daily. The result also showed that the daily percentage contribution of macronutrients to energy composition of the diets were 9.62% for protein, 13.93% for fats and 76.46% for carbohydrates respectively. The mean values of the micronutrients per serving portion were 43.09±8.26 for vitamin A, 19.28±1.78 for vitamin C, 24.25±6.92 for vitamin E, 22.26±2.71 for folate, 62.02±5.59 for zinc and 3.82±0.98 for selenium respectively. Among the foods, moi-moi, okpa, fish, stew, pap, OKS, ES, BLS and meat had high protein density of 313.48, 375, 851.28, 142.2, 78.72, 128.24, 125.60, 92.76, 136.28 and 617.92%, respectively. BYP and BY had moderate nutrient density of 67.04% and 65.84% respectively. VYP and GA had low nutrient density of 45.12 and 22.92%, respectively. All the foods had low vitamin A, selenium and folate densities relative to FAOAA/HO reference value. The dishes served show that most of the foods were adequate (highly densed) and have potential for control and prevention of all types of cancers if dietary habits are maintained with improvements in vitamin A, selenium and folate content of the dishes as consumed. © Asian Network for Scientific Information, 2016.
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