School of Biological Sciences

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    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.
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    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.
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    Assessment of Dietary Intakes and Nutritional Status of School Age Children Participating in School Feeding Programmes at Otinibi and Danfa
    (University of Ghana, 2013-07) Owusu, J.S.; Colecraft, E.; Aryeetey, R.
    Background: School age children (SAC) are vulnerable to malnutrition which can negatively influence their growth and maturity, health and academic attainment. School feeding programmes (SFP) have the potential to improve dietary intakes and nutrition of SAC. However there is limited information on the nutritional impact of school feeding programmes in Ghana. Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the dietary intakes and nutritional status of SAC participating in an NGO-sponsored (NSFP) and a Government-sponsored (GSFP) school feeding programme in two semi-rural communities in Ghana. Methodology: A cross sectional survey was used to obtain data from 182 school age children (SAC) and caregiver pairs. Structured questionnaires were used to interview the SAC and caregivers on their socio-demographic characteristics and dietary practices. The 24hour dietary recall method was used to collect data of the children’s dietary intakes on 2 non-consecutive days. Children’s weight and height measurements were taken and anthropometric indices (stunting, BMI for age) were computed. The hemocue method was used to assess haemoglobin levels on a sub-sample of children. Predictors of nutritional status of SAC were assessed using linear and logistic regression models. T-test was used to test the differences in school performance and attendance of children who have normal nutritional status and those with at least one nutritional deficit. Results: The mean dietary diversity scores for all the SAC was 5±1 out of 9 food groups. Diets of SAC were low in organ meats, dairy products, eggs and dark green leafy vegetables. SAC met all the DRI for energy and nutrients (protein, iron, zinc, vitamin C and A) intake except for calcium intake. Portion sizes of GSFP meals served to SAC were significantly lower (243 ± 50g vs. 416 ± 96g; p=0.012) than NSFP. Meals provided by the NSFP met recommendations for energy and macronutrient content of school meals whiles those provided by the GSFP did not. Dietary intakes of NSFP participants were higher than GSFP. NSFP contributed significantly higher energy (28 ± 10% vs. 16.2 ± 7%; p=<0.001), protein (24.6 ± 9% vs. 13.3 ± 7%; p=<0.001) and micronutrients (p≤0.042) to the children’s total energy intakes compared to meals provided through the GSFP. 67.0% of SAC were either anaemic, stunted or had low BMI for age. Haemoglobin level was lower among SAC who have received any micronutrient supplement in the past 6 months (β=-0.900; p=0.009)and SAC whose caregivers education was lower than JHS (β=-1.050; p=0.002). Younger age (<10yrs) was associated with high BMI for age (β=0.342, p=0.10) .BMI for age and height for age of SAC were not affected by energy intake (β=0.000; p=≤0.046).Also, younger age (<10yrs), caregivers not working or engaged in occupation (trader and vocational occupation) and educational level higher than JHS were associated with HAZ of SAC (p<0.05). The significant predictors for having at least one nutritional deficit among SAC wereyounger age (odds ratio=0.485; CI=0.243-0.969; P=0.040) and caregivers engaged in other occupationsuch as farmers, stone winnowers and professional workers (odds ratio=3.499; CI=1.065-11.491; p=0.039). None of the nutritional indices that SAC were assessed on was significantly associated with school attendance and performance in the past term. However, there was significant association between having at leastone nutritional deficit and school performance in Mathematics (Mean difference=-4.62; p=0.037) and English (Mean difference=-4.49; p=0.027) but not Science in the past term. Conclusion: Malnutrition was prevalent among the SAC. Both GSFP and NSFP were contributing to daily intakes of SAC. However, the quantity of food served by GSFP need to be reviewed to increase its contribution to daily nutrient intakes.