School of Biological Sciences

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    Nutritional Quality of Snacks in the School Food Environment of Adolescents
    (University Of Ghana, 2020-07) Addae, R.Y.D.
    School food environments affect the food acquisition and consumption of pupils while they are at school, and are a major determinant of their overall nutrition and health. The prevalence of snacking among adolescents has been found, by many studies, to have increased over the years. Adolescence presents a window of opportunity for growth and development for most people. Adolescence is also a period to establish good food habits, because food habits formed at this stage are likely to be carried into adulthood. Studies in developed countries have showed that the most preferred snacks among adolescents are high in saturated fats, sodium and total calories but low in micronutrients such as iron, vitamin C and zinc. This dietary habit has contributed to the rise in obesity and cardiovascular diseases in adulthood. The Ghanaian school food environment, which has been proven to lack strict regulating policies is expected to be varied and complex. Therefore, it was imperative to study the prevailing school food environments to determine the nutritional quality of snacks consumed by adolescents and examine their snack choice drivers. It is also crucial to find out the types of snacks and specific quantities carried by snack vendors in the school environments. This may help relevant stakeholders to give interventions to mitigate the problem. The aim of the study was to determine the nutritional quality of snacks consumed by adolescents in Junior High Schools. The study design was cross-sectional, with a quantitative approach. 400 adolescents in four selected Junior High Schools and 39 snack vendors in the immediate environment of the schools participated in the study. Dietary data and drivers of snack choice were collected using a single 24-Hour recall, a 7-day Modified Food Frequency Questionnaire and a Snack Choice Drivers Questionnaire. Anthropometric measurements of respondents were also taken to ascertain their Body Mass Index-for-Age. A separate questionnaire was used to gather and audit available snacks from snack vendors within a 50-meter radius around each school. Data were entered into excel and analyzed with STATA, version 13.0. Overall, respondents exceeded the recommendations for daily energy (d=322.8 Kcal), protein (difference=1g), fat (difference=33.6g) and sodium (difference=1,181.8mg) requirements, but did not meet the zinc (d=-5.3 mg) and iron (=-11.3mg) requirements in their diets. The results showed that the most preferred snacks in both private and public schools were imported packaged snacks (68.5% vs 82.5%, p<.001) and fizzy drinks and sugar sweetened beverages (63.6% vs 77.7%, p=.02), with the least preferred being confectionaries (20.7% vs 59.4%, p<.001). There were more snack vendors in the public schools (n = 25) compared to private schools (n = 14). Fizzy drinks and sugar sweetened beverages were the most available snacks, while the least available snacks were fruits. Respondents from public schools recorded relatively higher consumption of energy (d=136.8Kcal, p=.09), protein (d=0.6g, p=0.10, fat (d=30.8g, p=.06) and sodium (d=69.8mg, p<.001) than their counterparts from private schools, who also consumed relatively more zinc (d= 0.3mg, p<.001) and iron (d=1.0mg, p<.001) during snack times. Sensory attributes (median score=100, IQR=25), familiarity (median score=66.7, IQR=33.3), weight maintenance/management (median score=66.7, IQR=66.6) and prices (median score=100, IQR= 33.5) highly influenced respondents snack choice, while ethical concerns (median score=0, IQR=66.7) was the least driver of respondents’ snack choices. There was a significant association between gender of adolescents and their frequency of consumption of imported packaged snacks (p<.001), fizzy drinks/sugar sweetened beverages (p<.001), local snacks (p<.001) and confectionaries (p<.04). There was also a significant relationship between the availability of fried snacks (p<.001), flour based snacks (p=.02) and imported snacks (p<.001) and their frequency of consumption.
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    Eating Out: Nutrition and Health Implications
    (University of Ghana, 2018-07) Nunoo, B.N.A.
    Background: Eating out (EO) has been identified as a significant driver to the poor quality of diet due to high fat, sodium and energy content of meals which have a negative consequence on nutritional health, resulting in overweight/obesity and related non-communicable diseases. The study sought to assess EO lifestyle and associated factors; assess the nutrient content of some selected meals from fast food restaurants (FFRs) in Accra; and associations of EO lifestyle with selected health indicators among Ghanaians. Methods: This was a cross sectional study involving 450 adults from 18 to 60 years within some selected communities in Accra metropolis and laboratory proximate analysis (LPA) of twenty (20) meals sourced from different FFRs in Osu. A semi-structured questionnaire was used in assessing the socio– demographic characteristics, EO characteristics, physical activity level (PAL) of all subjects. In addition, parameters such as height, weight, blood pressure and fasting blood sugar was measured for a sub- sample of subjects. LPA was conducted to assess the protein, moisture, carbohydrate, fat, ash, energy and mineral content of FFR meals. Descriptive statistics were used to report continuous and categorical data and the health variables were reported based on standard classifications. Independent sample t-test and Pearson chi-square test were used to analyse continuous and categorical variables respectively. Logistic regression was employed to determine which variables were associated with EO and overweight/obesity. Nutrient compositions were estimated both in per serving and 100g as mean ± standard deviations and compared to recommendations. ANOVA and Post Hoc Multiple Comparison were used to compare the means of each nutrients in FFR meals. Results: Majority (60.7%) of subjects who eat out on an average of 4-6 meals per week, were aged 18-39 years and comprised more of females and singles. The employed frequently eat out (≥ 7) than the unemployed and was also found to be statistically different (p= 0.047). More subjects purchased foods from street vendors for all the eating occasions, preferred take-away restaurants and fried rice was the most common eat out meal. Perceived convenience of EO was the main reason stated by subjects, plus reasons giving by males was statistically different from that of females. Majority (69.6%) of subjects engaged in moderate PAL. The prevalence of overweight/obesity, diabetes and hypertension was 62%, 18.7% and 19.3% respectively. EO was significantly related to BMI, FBS and BP (All p<0.05). BMI was found to be related to diabetes, hypertension and age ≥ 40 was found to be significantly associated with being overweight / obese (p=0.021). However, it was unlikely for convenience to be a predictor of EO as compared to other reasons for EO. The nutrient profile of FFR meals varied across recommendations, and majority were higher in fat, energy and sodium. Per 100g of meals, protein, carbohydrate, energy and fat ranged from 6.84-15.03g, 9.41- 37.02g, 86.11- 333.94kcal and 0.81- 27.94g respectively. Ash content ranged from 0.58- 1.89g with sodium, potassium and iron being in the range from 133.93- 516.83mg, 38.47- 490.32mg and 0.49- 4.18mg respectively. Conclusion: Policies and interventions governing EO must be established and enforced since it is evident that EO was associated with adverse nutritional consequences and FFR meals were higher in health risk factors including sodium, fat and energy.
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    Comparative Study of the Nutritional Status of School Aged Children Enrolled On the Ghana School Feeding Programme: A Case of Kwabre East and the Tolon Districts of Ghana
    (University Of Ghana, 2017-07) Taricone, A.A.A.
    Background: Childhood malnutrition remains a public health challenge in Africa. The original aim of the Ghana School Feeding Programme was to improve school enrolment and attendance with secondary aim to alleviate hunger and malnutrition among school aged children across every region. The aim of this study was to investigate the nutritional status of the SAC enrolled in the GSFP. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was carried out among 300 randomly selected 6-12 year aged school children in the Kwabre East (n=150) and Tolon districts (n=150) of Ghana. A semi-structured questionnaire was employed to take information on participants and their caregivers’ demographic characteristics, sanitation and morbidity. Height, weight and haemoglobin concentrations were measured. Dietary data were obtained using a 3 consecutive day 24-hour recall and food frequency questionnaire. Analyses of covariance were used to compare the differences (HAZ, BAZ, energy and nutrient intake from usual and GSFP meals) between the study children from the two districts and logistic regression used to identify predictors of malnutrition. Results: Compared to the study children in the Kwabre East district, the prevalence of stunting and anaemia was significantly higher in Tolon district 15.3% vs. 6%; p=0.009 and 20.5% vs. 7.3%; p=0.001 respectively. The rate of thinness was significantly higher in Kwabre East than the Tolon district in the study children (21.3% vs. 10%; p=0.026). Having a low dietary diversity score was significantly associated with being undernourished (OR=5.1; 95%CI: 1.45-5.1) in Kwabre East and (OR=4.8; 95% CI: 1.41-16.13) in the Tolon district. It was observed that 3 out of 10 study children were undernourished in Kwabre East. Conclusion: From the study, the prevalence of anaemia, stunting and thinness significantly differed between the study children in the two districts. The dietary diversity scores in both districts were high among study children. The chances of being undernourished was significantly higher with the study children who had a low dietary diversity score. Meals from the GSFP contributed more than one-third of the energy, macro-nutrients and micronutrients (Vitamin A, folate, iron and zinc) that were assessed to the daily nutrient intake of the study children. Meals from GSFP did not contribute Vitamin B12 to the daily nutrient intake to children in Tolon district but contributed more than half to daily Vitamin B12 intake of children in Kwabre East district.
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    The Impact Of Climate Change On Food And Nutrition Security In The Bongo District Of The Upper East Region Of Ghana
    (University of Ghana, 2016-07) Atitsogbey, P.
    Introduction: Among the most substantial impact of climate change is its potential to escalate food insecurity and malnutrition. The adverse impact of climate change will be most felt by the poor and the highly vulnerable which includes women, children and the aged in the neglected areas. The objective of this study was to examine the impact of climate change on food and nutrition security of households with emphasis on women and children below five years of age in the Bongo district of the Upper East region of Ghana. Methodology: A cross-sectional survey was conducted using mixed methods in four purposively selected farming communities (Anaafobiisi, Bogrigo, Gurigo and Gowrie) in the Bongo district of the Upper East region of Ghana. A sample size of 246 mother-child pairs (children below five years of age) were used in the study. Stratified simple random sampling was used in selecting 62 households each in Anaafobiisi and Bogrigo and 61 households in Gurigo and Gowrie. Data was collected on socio-demographic characteristics of the participants, awareness of climate change, dietary information (24-hour recall), coping strategies, food preservation and household food security. Anthropometric data of both mothers and children were also collected as well as haemoglobin level of participants. Four focus group discussions were held, one in each community and thirteen key informants’ interviews involving 8 farmers, 4 agriculture extension officers and a meteorologist were also conducted. Data on rainfall and temperature in the district was collected from the Ghana Meteorological service for a 30 years period. Crop yields data over a period of 21 years in the district was also collected from Ministry of Agriculture (MOFA). Results: The research revealed that rainfall in the Bongo district has been decreasing at - 0.3mm per annum and maximum temperature has been increasing at 0.005°C. About 62.6% of the participants were aware of climate change in their communities but more than a quarter (31.3%) did not know what the causes of climate change were. The most frequent coping strategy adopted by majority (89.4%) was reduction in quality and quantity of food consumed. There was a significance difference (P = 0.001) between some specific crops (millet, maize, rice, sweet potatoes) which were being consumed less due to effect of climate change and how participants thought these crops were being affected by climate change. Almost all (97.2%) of the households were food insecure Participants who reported decrease in rainfall were more likely to be food insecure (OR= 3.96; CI= 0.56 – 27.81). The proportion of children under five years who were stunted, underweight, and wasted were 42.3%, 24.4%, and 17.5% respectively. About 24% of the women were overweight, 9% were obese and 5% were underweight. Women who reported to have experienced decrease in rainfall were more likely to be underweight (OR = 1.26; CI=1.02-1.56) or overweight (OR =1.31; CI= and 1.13-1.52). The prevalence of anaemia among the women and children was 18.7% and 82.8% respectively. Conclusion: More than half (62.6%) of the study participants were aware of climate change in the district. The coping strategy employed by the majority was reduction in the quality and quantity of diet during food shortage periods. Almost all the households were food insecure and sun drying was the food preservation method used by 52.3%. There was high level of stunting, wasting and underweight among the children under five years of age and maternal body mass index was emerging to be high. Prevalence of anaemia among the children was also high. There is the need to intensify climate resistant agriculture technology such as irrigation methods to offset the negative impact of climate change on food security in the district. Also timely and appropriate nutrition intervention programmes aimed at reducing malnutrition and anaemia among children below five years of age in the Bongo District should be instituted.
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    Perceived Climate Change And Food And Nutrition Security In The Bibiani-Anhwiaso Bekwai District In The Western Region Of Ghana
    (University of Ghana, 2016-07) Armah, A.A
    Climate change has the potential to increase food insecurity and exacerbate malnutrition in small scale farming households through its impacts on crop yield and income. Using a mixed-methods design, a cross-sectional study was carried out in the Bibiani-Anhwiaso Bekwai District in the Western Region of Ghana among 210 farming households with children less than 5 years old with the objective of examining associations between perceived climate change and food and nutrition security. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect data on perceived climate change, awareness of climate change, household food security and coping strategies used to offset the negative impacts of climate change. A 24-hour household dietary recall was used to assess household dietary diversity (HDD) and dietary consumption patterns and anthropometric and biochemical measurements were used to assess the nutritional status of study participants. Four focus group discussions and 11 key informant interviews were carried out to find out about awareness of climate change in the study area, impact of climate change on dietary consumption patterns and coping strategies adapted to offset the negative impacts of climate change. Results from the quantitative study showed that 72% of the participants had perceived changes in weather patterns. Majority (94%) of the participants were food insecure and households that had perceived climate change were 11 times more likely to be food insecure than those that had not (p = 0.001). Sixty-one percent of mothers interviewed had normal BMI (between 18.5 to 24.9 kg/m2) and 87% were non-anaemic. Underweight, stunting and wasting were of high public health significance among children below 5years. Approximately 29% of the children were underweight, 36% stunted, 10% wasted and 58% anaemic. There were no significant differences in the nutritional status and dietary diversity of participants from households that had perceived climate change compared to those that had not. Results from the qualitative study showed that participants had observed less predictable weather patterns which had negative impacts on crop yield, food security and dietary diversity. The main coping strategies adapted to offset the negative impacts of climate change include watering crops with water from other sources aside rain water, , adjusting planting seasons, diversification of livelihoods and storage of food among others. Participants however mentioned that the alternate water sources usually got dried up during long periods of drought The study therefore recommended an introduction of irrigation projects and educating farmers on modern and improved adaptive strategies to offset the negative impacts of climate change on food crop production.
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    Personality Traits and Dietary Habits among Students of the University Of Ghana, Legon
    (University Of Ghana, 2015-07) Oddam, E.G
    Background: For an effective behaviour modification in dietary habits, an understanding of the association between an individual’s personality traits and food habits are of much significance. Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between personality traits and dietary habits among undergraduate students of the University of Ghana. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted and students were recruited by systematic sampling. A questionnaire was used to collect data. Anthropometric measurements (height, weight, waist and hip circumference), dietary intake (semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire) and dietary habits were assessed. The Big 5 personality traits (extraversion, conscientiousness, neuroticism, agreeableness and openness) were assessed using the International Personality Item Pool (IPIP). Associations between dietary habits and BMI, WHR and personality traits were analyzed. Results: The mean BMI of the participants was 22±3.63 kg/m2. The Waist-to-Hip Ratios were 0.76±0.04 and 0.81±0.04 for females and males respectively. Except for neuroticism, all the personality traits had a significant association with at least one of the dietary habits. Waist-to-Hip Ratio was associated with pickiness. Sugar intake moderation was significantly associated with BMI (p =0.05). Conclusion: The dietary habits of the undergraduate students of the University of Ghana did not show much effect on their BMI. Some associations were detected between personality traits of the students and the aspects of their dietary habits observed. Personality traits may have an influence on dietary habits but further studies are required for confirmation
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    Zinc Nutritional Status of Preschool Children in Selected Communities of Southern Ghana
    (University of Ghana, 1994-12) Takyi, E. E. K.; Asibey-Berko, E.; University of Ghana, College of Basic and Applied Sciences, School of Biological Sciences, Department of Nutrition and Food Science
    Zinc is a micronutrient indispensable for growth, development, reproduction, and for the activities of over 200 enzymes embracing all physiological activities. Zinc deficiency in the preschool age group therefore leads to growth faltering, wasting, stunting and general degeneration in physiological activities. In rural areas of Egypt and Iran where zinc deficiency was first identified, dietary factors of plant origin ( especially phytic acid and fibre), which impair zinc absorption, were the main etiological factors of zinc deficiency. For the fact that recent studies have suggested that zinc deficiency might be as alarming as iron deficiency and the fact that zinc deficiency predominates in populations which subsist largely on vegetable diet with little animal protein, it was felt that this study, is both relevant and necessary in the Ghanaian context. Studies were carried out in 4 communities on 200 preschool (nursery) children aged 3 to 5 years, to determine if zinc deficiency occurs within this age group; and if it does, whether it relates in anyway to any of the anthropometric indices of the cohorts. The four communities were Ashalley Botwe, Kwabenya,( typical rural southern villages), Dome (periurban) and New Achimota ( urban), all located in Greater Accra region, southern Ghana. In the study, age and the anthropometric indicators of nutritional status ( weight, height, mid upper arm circumference, triceps, and subscapular skin-folds), and the biochemical indicators of zinc nutriture [ hair zinc, plasma zinc, red blood cell (rbc) zinc, and alkaline phosphatase activity], as well as indicators of protein nutriture (plasma protein, albumin, and A/G ratio) were determined. Results of anthropometric measurements indicated that the mean percentage of pre-schoolers affected by Wasting, Stunting and Wasting plus stunting in the four communities combined were 3.5%, 16.5%, and 1.5% respectively, with 78.5% of normal status. When the results were considered for each community, 69.6% (Ashalley Botwe), 81.2% (Kwabenya), 80.9% (Dome), and 84.1% (New Achimota), respectively, were of normal stature. Percentage wasting was 3.6%, 0%, 4.4% and 4.5% while stunting levels were 25%, 18.8%, 13.2%, and 9.1% respectively. The percentage wasting plus stunting was 1.8%, 0%, 1.5%, and 2.3%, respectively. Statistical analysis using Duncan's and Least significant difference (LSD) multiple comparison tests, indicated that there were no significant differences (p>0.05) in the mean values for the indicators of zinc nutriture (plasma zinc, rbc zinc, hair zinc, and plasma alkaline phosphatase activity) in the different nutritional states (normal, wasted, stunted, wasted plus stunted). Further comparison with reference values indicated that there was no zinc deficiency in any of the groups- eg. the mean plasma zinc values obtained for the normal, wasted, stunted, and wasted plus stunted groups ( for the 200 cohorts) were 1.13+0.35, 1.16 ± 0.37, 1.04 + 0.23 and 0.95 + 0.29 ppm, respectively, as compared to a normal range of 0.50-1.50ppm. The corresponding values for the hair zinc were 247.0 + 101.6, 200.9 +. 65.2, 220.0 +, 83.8 and 157.6 + 40 ppm, as compared to a normal level of >70 ppm. Also, the mean plasma, red blood cell, and hair zinc values for all the cohorts were normal. Analysis of indicators of protein nutritional status (total plasma protein, albumin, and A/G ratio) revealed that the Plasma Protein values for the various anthropometric states were within the normal reference ranges eg. the mean Albumin/Globulin ratio for the normal, wasted, stunted and wasted plus stunted groups ( for the 200 cohorts) were 1.6 +0.5, 1.2 + 0.3, 1.6 + 0.5, and 1.5 + 0.5, respectively, as compared to a normal range of 1-2.5. This indicates that the protein nutritional status was adequate. It was- concluded that there was no zinc deficiency in the cohorts, and that zinc nutritional status did not differ in the various nutritional states of the cohorts.
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    Prevalence of Zinc Deficiency Among Ghanaian Adolescents Versus Food Components of Zinc and Phytate
    (University of Ghana, 2004-06) Abbey, G.A.; Asibey-Berko E.; University of Ghana, College of Basic and Applied Sciences, School of Biological Sciences, Department of Nutrition and Food Science
    Zinc is an essential micronutrient found in almost every cell in the body. Nutrient needs are highest during adolescence, surpassed only by needs during pregnancy and lactation. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of zinc deficiency among adolescents in Ghana and to relate this with dietary intake of zinc and phytate. A total of 300 adolescents between ages 13-19 years were recruited from the Greater Accra and Upper East Regions for the study. Questionnaires were used for background data collection as well as food frequency intake. Anthropometric measurements were taken and plasma zinc assessed. A 46% overall prevalence of zinc deficiency (i.e. Plasma zinc <80pg/dL or <12.3|jmol/L) was detected with southern subjects having a significantly higher prevalence (51%) than northern subjects (42%), (P< 0.05). Mean plasma zinc concentration detected was 81.42 } 26.84 for the south and 82.96 } 16.27 for the north. Males also had a higher prevalence of zinc deficiency than females though this was not statistically significant (p<0.05). The highest zinc - containing foods among the most frequently consumed foods in the north were dry fish (11.2mg/100g), groundnuts (4.5-4.7mg/100g), millet (4.7mg/100g), whole maize (3.3mg/100g) and unpolished rice (2mg/100g) and for the south, they were fish (10.9-ll.3nng/100g), beef (4.1mg/100g), milk (3mg/100g), poultry (2.8mg/100g) and maize (2.4mg/100g). Highest phytate containing foods among the most frequently consumed foods were groundnut (546.1- 622.5mg/100g), maize (211.5-608.3mg/100g), millet (587.5mg/100g), unpolished rice (219.7mg/100g), and green leafy vegetables (146.5mg/100g) for the north and maize (615mg/100g), cowpea (600mg/100g), and groundnut (540mg/100g) for the south. The level of zinc deficiency found in this cohort clearly indicates that zinc deficiency is a public health problem in Ghana especially among adolescents. The possible contribution of dietary factors like low intake of zinc and its anti-nutritional factors merits a proper and broader look as well. An intervention by policy makers in the country may be necessary.