Department of Nutrition and Food Science
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Item Associations Of Blood Glucose Levels With Some Diabetes Risk Factors (Body Mass Index, Blood Pressure And Total Body Fat) In Inhabitants Of Ho Municipality, Ghana: A Cross-Sectional Survey(African Journal of Food, Agriculture, Nutrition and Development, 2021) Kortei, N.K.; Koryo-Dabrah, A.; Akonor, P.T.; et al.One complex metabolic disorder that can unenviably affect normal human physiology is diabetes mellitus (DM). It is indeed one of the most common noncommunicable diseases that have heightened to an epidemic level worldwide. For diseases like DM, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, type II DM, and other chronic diseases, body mass index (BMI) is identified as a positive and independent risk factor associated with morbidity and mortality. The study's objective was to determine the relationships between BMI, blood pressure, and total body fat among inhabitants of peri-urban Ho, Ghana. A cross-sectional survey was carried out between May and June 2018, among 132 inhabitants of Ho to determine the prevalence and associations among DM risk factors. The participants were selected by systematic random sampling. Standardized international protocols measured BMI, blood pressure, blood glucose, and total body fat. Out of 132 respondents, 96 (72.7%) were female and the most common age group was 54-60 (31.1%). From the BMI classifications, 65 (49.2%) people were of normal weight while 6 (4.5%) were underweight. Total body fat (%) and blood pressure, likewise total body fat and BMI recorded significant associations of values (0.299, p<0.001-systolic; 0.298, p=0.001-diastolic), and 0.585 (p<0.001), respectively. On the contrary, there were insignificant associations found between blood glucose and diastolic blood pressure and also blood glucose and systolic blood pressure (0.100, p=0.253) and (0.057. p=0.514), respectively using Spearman’s correlation analysis. Lastly, the test of association of socio-demographics and anthropometrics revealed there was a significant (p<0.001) correlation between total body fat and BMI using Pearson’s correlation analysis. BMI is closely related to total body fat and blood pressure; hence, education on lifestyle modification needs to be intensified to create awareness among the inhabitants of Ho municipality of Ghana. It is imperative to educate Ghanaians and beyond about the risk factor associations that predispose an individual to DM.Item Exploring The Knowledge And Awareness Of Diabetes Mellitus Among Inhabitants Of Ho Municipality In Ghana A Cross-Sectional Study(African Journal of Food, Agriculture, Nutrition and Development, 2021) Annan-Asare, J.; Koryo-Dabrah, A.; Berko Nartey, E.; et al.One of the fast-growing major non-communicable diseases (NCD) that poses a danger to global public health is Diabetes mellitus (DM). Trends in the incidence of DM indicate a disproportionate increase in developing countries due to the current rapid demographic transitions from traditional to more westernized and urbanized lifestyles. Knowledge of DM is vital for curbing or control. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the level of knowledge and awareness of DM among the Ho municipality general population, identify areas of deficiency for targeted health education efforts, and identify respondent characteristics that may be associated with knowledge of diabetes. A survey involving 132 respondents (aged over 18 years) was conducted in the Ho municipality of the Volta region of Ghana. A 42-item pre-tested questionnaire was administered to participants to evaluate general and specific knowledge and awareness of DM. The Pairwise Multiple Comparison and Fisher’s Exact tests were used to test the hypotheses and associations between the respondents’ knowledge level and groups respectively. Of the 132 respondents, 22% were in the age range of 40-46 years; 72.7% were female. The mean overall diabetes knowledge composite score was poor: 32.99% (CI; 27.5, 38.5). Respondents performed best in the symptoms section: the mean score was 36.247% (CI; 29.0, 43.4); and worst in the section on complications: the mean score was 30.909% (CI; 23.6, 38.2). In multiple linear regression analyses, education level, older age, own self having diabetes, and having a family member/relative/friend with diabetes were significantly associated with knowledge of diabetes. Knowledge of diabetes among the inhabitants of Ho municipality respondents was interpreted as being inadequate at 32.99% (CI; 27.5, 38.5). Some deficient portions and factors associated with knowledge of diabetes were identified. Relevant information for targeted health education programs in Ghana and beyond may be considered as one of such benefits of these findings.Item Street Foods Contribute To Nutrient Intakes Among Children From Rural Communities In Winneba And Techiman Municipalities, Ghana(African Journal of Food, Agriculture, Nutrition and Development, 2012) Micah, E.B.; Colecraft, E.K.; Lartey, A.; et al.The contribution of Street Foods (SF) to the energy and nutrient intake of young children in rural African communities has been understudied. Under the Enhancing Child Nutrition through Animal Source Food Management (ENAM) project, a microcredit and nutrition education intervention with caregivers of children 2-to 5- years old in rural Ghana, the prevalence of SF consumption by young children and the contribution SF makes to children’s energy, nutrient, and Animal Source Food (ASF) intakes were assessed. A simple random sample of 172 caregiver-child pairs residing in the ENAM intervention communities in Winneba and Techiman municipalities participated in this study. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to interview caregivers about SF purchased for their 2- to 5-year-old children in the previous week. During two non-consecutive 12-hour home observations, all foods consumed by a subsample of the children (n=45) were weighed. The energy and nutrient content of weighed foods were estimated using the Ghanaian food composition table. About 80% of caregivers purchased SF for their child at least once that previous week. Most (76%) SF purchased were grain-based and were purchased as complete meals. The children’s total ASF intake was 69.9 ± 11.0 g; the quantity of ASF consumed was similar but their sources of ASF differed between the two municipalities. In Techiman, SF contributed 36% of the ASF consumed over the two observation days compared to 4.2% in Winneba (P=0.003). Overall, SF contributed 35% of energy and 43% of vitamins. A, 20% of vitamin B12, 30% of zinc, 34% of iron, and 54% of calcium consumed by children. The contribution of SF to young children’s dietary intakes, especially their ASF intakes and hence micronutrient intakes, may improve overall dietary quality. This study provides evidence that SF is an important part of children’s diets in rural Ghana could be an important target for food-based interventions to enhance nutrition in young children.Item Nutrition intakes and nutritional status of school age children in Ghana(Journal of Food Research, 2017) Owusu, J.S.; Colecraft, E.K.; Aryeetey, R.; et al.This paper compares the nutrition intake and nutritional status of school children from two public schools in neighbouring communities of Ghana with different school feeding programmes. One hundred and eighty-two caregiver and school-age child pairs were interviewed concerning socio-demographics, dietary practices, and food security in a cross-sectional design. The independent t-test was used to compare the contribution of the publicly funded Ghana School Feeding Programme and Private School Feeding Programme meals to the total daily nutrient intakes of the children. Predictors of the nutritional status of the children were assessed using logistic regression models. The private school feeding programme contributed more energy, protein, and micronutrients as compared to the government school feeding programme. About two-thirds (67.0%) of the children were stunted, underweight, or anaemic. The child’s age was a significant predictor of stunting. Undernutrition was prevalent among children from both programmes. Improved quality of diet from the feeding programmes may contribute to addressing malnutrition in these children.Item Comparison of Two School Feeding Programmes in Ghana, West Africa(International Journal of Child Health and Nutrition, 2016) Owusu, J.S.; Colecraft, E.K.; Aryeetey, R.N.O.; et al.Background: Malnutrition of children in Ghana continues during school years. There is limited information on how school meals meet nutrient recommendations in Ghana. Objectives: This study aimed to compare the energy and nutrient content of meals served by Ghana School Feeding Programme (GSFP) and Non-Governmental School Feeding Programme (NGSFP) and adherence to nutrient recommendations. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study design involving the observation of school meals at two sites: GSFP and NGSFP. The average weights of a week’s meal were converted to energy and nutrient equivalence and compared with international recommendations. Differences were assessed with t-tests. Results: NGSFP provided significantly higher portion size (416 ± 96 g vs. 243 ± 50 g; p=0.007), energy (776 ± 427 kcal vs. 315 ± 24 kcal; p=0.042) and fats (17± 8 vs. 6 ± 2; p=0.019) but similar micronutrient contributions to GSFP. NGSFP met energy and macronutrient recommendations set by the World Food Programme; whereas, GSFP did not meet the recommendations. Conclusion and Recommendations: The NGSFP had more energy and macronutrients per serving size than the GSFP. Regulation of meals served by GSFP should be reviewed to ensure they contribute to the adequacy of children’s diets as well as meet recommendations set by the World Food Programme.Item Consumption Patterns Of Energy Drinks At Lorry Stations In Accra And Concentration Of Their Main Constituents(University Of Ghana, 2022-08) Oscar, N.Y.C.Energy drinks are beverages that are rich in caffeine and sugars and contain other constituents. Energy drink consumption has become popular in Ghana in the last five years, and are mostly retailed at lorry stations in Accra. In spite of this, there is little information on the consumption patterns or reasons for consumption among consumers. There is also poor data on the concentrations of the main constituents (sugar and caffeine) of energy drinks in Ghana. Therefore, the objective of the study was to determine the consumption patterns of energy drinks at lorry stations in Accra, and the concentrations of the main constituents of energy drink. This was a combined cross sectional survey done at three lorry stations in Accra and laboratory analysis of main constituents (sugar and caffeine) of energy drink samples. The energy drinks that were analyzed were; Local (Rush, Storm, Run, BigBoss and 5Star energy drink) and imported (Red Bull, Xploza, Bullet, Lucozade). A total of 360 participants were surveyed in the study. Most of the participants (78.3 %) were consumers of energy drink and males were dominant. The dominant age for the consumers was (21-30 years, 39.4 %), with JHS (33 %) and SHS (30.5 %) being the dominant level of education. Commercial drivers (25.5 %) and traders (25.2 %) were the top occupations amongst the consumers. Most of the consumers drank 1-2 bottles of energy drinks in a week (29.7%), and the energy drinks were mostly drunk in the afternoons (55.3 %). The foreign energy drinks had higher caffeine concentrations than the local ones. The caffeine concentrations of imported energy drinks were above 300mg/L except for Lucozade that was below 150 mg/L whereas the local energy drinks were below 300 mg/L except Rush, which was above 320 mg/L. The sugar concentrations of the energy drinks were within similar ranges; majority of them were above 100 g/L and less than 120 g/L. The sugar concentrations of the energy drinks were within similar ranges; majority of them were above 100 g/L and less than 120 g/L. The local energy drinks were mostly consumed by the participants in the study than the foreign ones due to their cheaper price, and also they were very accessible because they were sold by hawkers at lorry stations but the foreign ones were mostly sold at marts and big malls. Energy drink consumption is highly prevalent at lorry stations in Accra. In spite of the consumption rate being excessive, few experienced adverse health effects. Some of the adverse effects were insomnia, accelerated heartbeat and sexual weakness. Most consumers of energy drink perceived it to be helpful whiles most non-consumers perceived them to be harmful.Item Predictors Of Malnutrition Among Hospitalized Adults With Pneumonia At The 37 Military Hospital In Accra, Ghana(University of Ghana, 2023-06) Andoh, T.Introduction: The aging population is the world’s most pressing medical and socio demographic challenge, and addressing this issue is a key concern. In Sub-Saharan Africa and Ghana, undernutrition among older people is high. There is limited information on the malnutrition situation among the hospitalized older adults in Ghana. This study was undertaken to identify malnutrition cases and the determinants of malnutrition among hospitalized adults with pneumonia at the 37 Military Hospital in Accra. Methodology: A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 54 hospitalized adults aged 60 and above infected with pneumonia at the 37 Military Hospital. Data were collected on socio- demographics, health status, lifestyle factors, and dietary intakes (a 24-hour dietary recall). Anthropometric data and the Mini Nutritional Assessment Tool (MNA) were used to determine the prevalence of malnutrition among the study group. Chi-square and regression analysis were used to determine the association between malnutrition and comorbidity among hospitalized adults with pneumonia. Results: This study revealed that 85.2% of the study population were malnourished based on their Body Mass Index (BMI). Based on MNA scores, 50.0% and 40% of the participants were at risk of malnutrition and malnourished respectively. There was no significant association between dietary diversity, nutrient intake, and malnutrition using BMI and MNA-Score (P > 0.05), respectively. Predictors such as marital status, feeding mode, morbidity, and taking more than 3 prescriptions per day were independently associated with malnutrition with a (P > 0.05). The prevalence of comorbidity among the study population was (61.1%) as participants with comorbidity had higher odds for malnutrition than those who are morbid (OR =2.58: CI=0.394 16.94). Study participants with health conditions such as neuropsychological problems had 4 times higher odds (OR 4.52:CI= 0.004-2.177) for malnutrition than those who had no neuropsychological problems. Lastly, the prevalence of anaemia among hospitalized a with pneumonia was 40.7%. Conclusion: The prevalence of malnutrition in adult with pneumonia was high using both the MNA and the body mass index. Almost all participants had inadequacies for calcium and fibre intake while there was no association between dietary and malnutrition however carbohydrate was the only nutrient that was associated with MNA. Predictors such as marital status, taking more than 3 prescriptions per day, feeding mode, living independently, and mobility were associated with malnutrition.Item Fathers’ Knowledge, Attitudes And Practices Concerning Young Child Feeding And Nutritional Status Of Children 0-24 Months In The La Nkwantanang Municipal District(University Of Ghana, 2023-01) Anang, C.N.F.Introduction: Optimal Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) during the first 1000 days is critical for the growth and development of children. Research in this area focuses on the input mothers make in the feeding of the child. The efforts of fathers, although under reported, are just as important in determining the nutritional status of a child. The main objective of this study was to assess fathers’ knowledge, attitudes and practices in IYCF in the La Nkwantanang Madina Municipal District (LaNMMA) and how this relates to children’s nutritional status. Methods: A cross-sectional study design was employed for this study. Convenience sampling was used select the health facilities and recruit 180 fathers and their children aged 0-24 months. Data were collected on the sociodemographic characteristics of participants, the knowledge, attitudes and practices of fathers (KAP) and the anthropometric measurements of the children. A qualitative aspect was introduced to explore fathers’ roles and barriers of fathers’ involvement. This was conducted by means of a focus group discussion and in-depth interviews.. Results: The mean age of fathers was 34.16 ± 5.63 years. The average age for children was 7.28 ± 5.50 months and females were slightly more than males (51.7% and 48.3% respectively). Fathers of children 0-5 months and 6-24 months had high knowledge (55.1% and 57.1% respectively) but poor practice scores (44.9% and 48.4% respectively). The prevalence of stunting, wasting and underweight amongst the children was 18%, 8% and 7% respectively. There was no significant association between the KAP of fathers and the nutritional status of children. From the focus group discussion and in-depth interviews, fathers identified their roles in IYCF as providing support to mothers. Support from fathers was either financial, physical or emotional. Fathers reported that they received information on IYCF from their wives, the grandmothers of their children and the health centers. The fathers indicated that cultural perception of men’s roles, tiredness from work and financial difficulties were barriers to their involvement in infant feeding. Fathers believed being available for their children, education in schools, advertisements, improvement of services at health centers and policy change would help in overcoming their barriers towards IYCF involvement. Conclusion: All fathers had good knowledge and poor practices towards infant feeding. Fathers provided support for their wives and were aware that their involvement in infant feeding was necessary. There is the need to create interventions that specifically address fathers’ barriers towards infant feeding.Item Microbiota Of Fermenting Millet In Hausa Koko Production: Their Diversity, Fermentative Characteristics And Potential For Starter Culture Development(University Of Ghana, 2021-12) Atter, A.Hausa koko is a traditional free -flowing spicy fermented pearl millet porridge produced mostly at the household level by women and sold as street food in Ghana. The fermentation is spontaneously done, not controlled, and the final product prone to contamination with potential foodborne pathogens. To standardize and control the fermentation process to achieve better product quality and safety for large-scale production, the use of starter culture containing beneficial fermenting microbes such as lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and yeast was considered in this study. Samples at different processing stages were obtained from twelve (12) different commercial processors located in six regions of Ghana. Their bacterial community were determined using the V4 variable region of the 16S rRNA gene and their metabolite profiled using 1HNuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. Out of the 12 commercial processors, samples from five (5) were enumerated for lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and yeast. The LAB isolates were fingerprinted using (GTG)5 based rep-PCR before whole genome sequenced, while 28S rRNA genes were Sanger sequenced for yeast isolates for genetic characterisation and identification. The identified isolates were then screened for some technological and probiotic characteristics in-vitro, beneficial isolates were used to develop starter culture whose performance was evaluated in-situ and tested for consumer acceptability. Results revealed the most comprehensive bacterial community with over four hundred (400) different Gram-positive and Gram-negative organisms and profiled thirty-three (33) metabolites. The LAB isolates were made up of both homo and hetero fermentative organisms. They included Limosilactobacillus pontis (31.11 %), Pediococcus acidilactici and Limosilactobacillus fermentum (16.67 % each), Pediococcus pentosaceus (11.11 %), Limosilactobacillus reuteri (10 %), Weissella confusa (6.67 %), Schleiferilactobacillus harbinensis (3.33 %), Lactiplantibacillus plantarum and Lacticaseibacillus paracasei (2.22 % each). L. pontis, L. fermentum, P. pentosaceus and L. reuteri occurred at all the stages of Hausa koko production. Saccharomyces cf. cerevisiae/paradoxus (41.4 %), Saccharomyces cerevisiae (31.0 %), Pichia kudriavzevii (13.8 %), Clavispora lusitaniae (8.6 %) and Candida tropicalis (5.2 %) were the yeast identified. A total of 27 LAB isolates were predicted to have bacteriocin producing genes and genes related to nutritive and enzyme production. Subsequently, these isolates were selected for further testing. The majority of the selected LAB and yeast isolates exhibited good technological and potential probiotic characteristics in vitro. The LAB showed good rates of acidification, strong inhibitory activity against some foodborne indicator organisms, amylase production (66.7 %), and low production of exopolysaccharides (EPS) (33.3 %). They also exhibited good tolerance and survival in acid conditions at pH (2.5 - 6.0) and at pH 7, tolerance and survival against bile (0.3 - 1.0 %). Similar good probiotic characteristic was obtained from the yeast isolates including tolerance to low-neutral pH (2.0, 3.0, 5.5 and 7.0), bile (0.3 - 1.0 %), high temperatures (25 °C and 37 °C) and salt concentrations (4 and 6 %). LAB isolates L. reuteri LDOD-Sud, L. pontis LTAD-12g and L. fermentum LMAN-Sdb, and yeast isolates, S. cerevisiae YSUN-Sud and P. kudriavzevii YTAD-12j selected for further studies in the development of a starter culture or inoculum enrichment during millet fermentation in different combinations produced acceptable results. Reduction or total inhibition of aflatoxins B1, B2 and G2 infected millet slurries were recorded when fermented with the different combinations. The most preferred starter culture combination was Limosilactobacillus reuteri LDOD-Sud (R) + Limosilactobacillus fermentum LMAN-Sdb (F) + Saccharomyces cerevisiae YSUN-Sud (C) referred to as RFC Hausa koko Starter Culture (RFCH). Although not under a strictly controlled fermentation set up, RFCH starter culture demonstrated desirable traits including quality and safety improvement, reduced fermentation time from the normal 48 - 72 h to only 12 h during semi-industrial scale fermentation. The study presented the most comprehensive bacterial and metabolites profile, the diversity, technological and probiotic potential of microorganisms associated with Hausa koko processing and the development of a starter culture. Also, it has shown the possibility of using starter culture by commercial processors at semi-industrial scale to standardize the production process for improved quality and safetyItem Effect Of Composite Food Powder On Vitamin A Levels, Anaemia, Growth Status And Toxicological Effect In Sprague Dawley Rats(University Of Ghana, 2022-03) Frempong, A.N.A.Introduction: Animal experiments play essential roles in research and help alleviate new diseases or existing conditions. Animal models have helped in the advancement of our nutritional knowledge. Since malnutrition, especially micronutrient deficiencies, are a significant public health concern, animal studies can advance understanding in this area. Animal studies can assess the toxicity and effect of micronutrient powders before human consumption. This study was conducted to determine the effect of the Composite Food Powder on vitamin A levels, anaemia, growth status and toxicological effect in Sprague Dawley rats. The powder contains anchovies, carrot, eggplant and soybean. These foods combined will be rich in iron and vitamin A, making them an excellent strategy to treat micronutrient deficiencies. Methodology: Composite Foods Powder (CFP) (100g) was made with dried and powdered 15g anchovies, 50g turkey berry, 10g carrot and 25g soybean. The Association of Official Analytical Chemists (AOAC, 2005) standard procedure was used to determine the proximate composition of the CFP. β-carotene and iron analyses were determined by HPLC and Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry methods, respectively. For the animal experimentation, twenty Sprague-Dawley rats were assigned to 2 groups, control (6) and experimental (14), for 28 days of investigation. The animals were weighed weekly. The length was measured on days 0, 7 and 15. After the animal was euthanised correctly, blood was taken by cardiac puncture on the 29th day for analysis. The kidneys and livers of the animals were isolated and processed for histopathological examination. Weight, length, haematological indices, serum retinol and biochemistry, were presented as means ± standard deviations. The histopathological analysis was presented in microphotographs. The significant difference in means between the groups was determined by independent t-test. Results: The blood analysis shows that the CFP contains 7.2mg/g β-Carotene and 5.28 iron, respectively. The mean weight of the control group was 161.37 ± 8.83 g, while that of the experimental group was 166.77 ± 7.91 g. The mean length for the control group was 19.03 ± 1.28 g, while that of the experimental group was 19.13 ± 1.00 g. No significant difference was observed across the control, and experimental groups for red blood cell count, haemoglobin, haematocrit, mean cell volume and mean cell haemoglobin values. No significant difference was observed across the control and experimental groups for Lymphocyte per cent and number, Eosinophil per cent and number, monocyte number and per cent, neutrophil per cent and number and basophil number and basophil per cent. The serum retinol concentration was generally low among the experimental and control groups. The control group had 0.002 ± 0.001 103 μg, and the experimental group had 0.002 ± 0.001 103 ug. No significant difference was observed across the control and experimental groups for urea, creatinine, direct bilirubin, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, alanine aminotransferase, total protein, and albumin, except for total bilirubin. There was a significant difference between the control and experimental groups for total bilirubin. Conclusion: This study revealed that CFP made up of locally available food products, contains iron and β- carotene that could meet the micro nutritional needs of infants. The CFP was found to have no significant effect on the SD rats' growth indices and serum retinol. The CFP was shown to have no toxicity regarding haematological and biochemical markers and very few histopathological alterations in isolated organs.