Department of Nutrition and Dietetics

Permanent URI for this collectionhttp://197.255.125.131:4000/handle/123456789/23055

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Subject: search.filters.subject.Obesity

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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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    Prevalence of Childhood Overweight/Obesity in Basic School in Accra
    (Ghana medical journal, 2012-09) Mohammed, H.; Vuvor, F.
    Background: This study intends to determine the prevalence of obesity among children in the University Primary School, Legon. It also intends to determine relationship between the prevalence of obesity in children and socio-economic status of their parents and the most endemic age group. Method: The study was conducted using 270 students sampled at random in the basic school. Children’s height, weight and skin fold measurement were taken. Children’s parent’s socio-economic status was assessed using close and open-ended questionnaires administered to parents. Data obtained was then analyzed using SPSS software. Results: Prevalence of obesity in the university primary school was found to be 10.9% with higher prevalence in girls (15.0%) than in boys (7.2%) (Pvalue= 0.001). There was higher prevalence among children from high socioeconomic background (21 – 23%) with least prevalence in those from low socioeconomic homes (10 – 20%) though this was not significant (p-value=0.23). Girls showed a higher body fat composition between 10 –12years, whiles boys showed higher body fat stores between 8 – 10 years old. Increasing mother educational level reduced prevalence of child obesity (p-value=0.043) but this was not seen in increasing fathers’ educational level (pvalue= 0.261). Conclusions: The prevalence of obesity in children in University primary school was very high and worrying. The prevalence increased with socio-economic status and it is more common in females than males. It was recommended that similar study should be expanded nationwide.
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    A pilot study comparing bioelectrical impedance analysis and body mass index in determining obesity among staff of a Ghanaian University
    (Nutrition and Food Science, 2018-10) Hayford, F.E.A.; Appiah, C.A.; Al Hassan, T.; Asamoah-Boakye, O.; Asante, M.
    Purpose In Ghana, the body mass index (BMI) is widely used in clinical practice in assessing weight status, but it is limited as a measure of adiposity. The purpose of this study was to compare bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) and body mass index (BMI) methods in determining obesity among some Ghanaians. Design/methodology/approach This was a cross-sectional survey involving 134 participants whose BMI were determined. Percentage body fat mass (%BF) and percentage visceral fat (%VF) were obtained by BIA using a hand-to-hand Omron body composition monitor with a weighing scale. Findings Based on the WHO BMI criteria, 6.0 per cent of the participants were obese. However, according to BIA 18.7 and 20.9 per cent of the participants were obese according to % BF and %VF, respectively. The BMI and %BF showed higher prevalence of obesity among female participants (8.2 and 34.4 per cent, respectively) than male participants (4.1 and 5.5 per cent, respectively), whereas for %VF, obesity was higher among male participants than female participants (26.0 per cent, 14.8 per cent). There was significant positive correlation between BMI and % BF (r = 0.604, p = 0.001); and between BMI and %VF (r = 0.555, p = 0.001). Research limitations/implications There are discrepancies in the prevalence of obesity in the study population as measured by BMI and BIA methods. This suggests that the BMI and BIA may not be reliable tools for assessing obesity in this population. Further studies are needed to determine the cut-offs for BMI and BIA that are associated with metabolic risk in the population. The small sample size limits the generalizability of findings of this study. Originality/value Body composition tends to vary by ethnicity and race; hence, it is essential to determine the appropriate tool for assessing adiposity in African populations for prompt and targeted interventions.