Department of Nutrition and Dietetics

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    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.
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    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.
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    Nutritional counselling interactions between health workers and caregivers of children under two years: observations at selected child welfare clinics in Ghana
    (BMC Health Services Research, 2019-11-08) Intiful, F.D.; Nsiah-Asamoah, C.; Pereko, K.K.A.
    Background: This study evaluated the Health Works (HWs) nutritional counselling skills and information shared with caregivers. This was a cross-sectional study in which an observation checklist was used to examine Growth Monitoring and Promotion (GMP) activities and educational/counselling activities undertaken by health workers (HWs) to communicate nutrition information to caregivers, depending on the ages of the children. Methods: A total number of 528 counselling interactions between health workers and caregivers in 16 Child welfare Clinics (CWCs) in two rural districts in Ghana were observed. Frequencies were presented for the information that was obtained from each caregiver and those that were provided by the HWs during the nutritional counselling sessions. Results: About 95.1 and 61.8% of the caregiver-HW interactions involved mothers of children who were less than 6 months of age and those above 6 months respectively. HWs counselled the caregivers on appropriate nutrition for the child. Health talk messages that were shared with caregivers focused mainly on the importance of attending CWCs and vaccination of children and rarely included any teaching materials. In most of the interactions, HWs made of child’s feeding practices the past 1 month; and also did not provide advice on specific issues of IYCF. Nutritional counselling information given for non-breastfeeding children was inadequate and in some cases absent. Little attention was given to the feeding of children with animal products during counselling. Conclusion: Generally nutritional information given to caregivers who had children above 6 months was inadequate.
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    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.
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    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.