Basic school pupils’ food purchases during mid-morning break in urban Ghanaian schools

Simple item page
dc.contributor.authorOgum-Alangea, D.
dc.contributor.authorAryeetey, R.N.O.
dc.contributor.authorGray, H.L.
dc.contributor.authoret al.
dc.date.accessioned2024-10-11T16:32:47Z
dc.date.available2024-10-11T16:32:47Z
dc.date.issued2020
dc.descriptionResearch Article
dc.description.abstractBackground Unhealthy food vending can expose children to malnutrition and other diet-related challenges such as obesity. This study sought to describe types and sources of food in basic schools in urban Accra, and to describe food purchases by pupils. Methods This was a cross-sectional study of five basic schools (3 public; and 2 private) and 644 pupils in the Ga-East Municipality in Ghana. Checklists were used to document available sources of food during school hours. Pupils were intercepted after making purchases during break time and the type, cost, and sources of foods purchased were documented. The energy content of foods was read from labels when available or estimated using the Ghana Food Composition database when unlabelled. Frequencies and crosstabs were used to compare food type by source and school type. Results Foods were purchased from the school canteen, school store, private stores, and ‘table-top’ vendors. Meals were most frequently purchased (38%) although single purchases were sweetened drinks, savory snacks, and confectioneries. About 53% of retailers located within the schools sold relatively healthier food options. Similar foods with comparable energy content were purchased within and outside of school. Conclusions Basic schools in urban Ghana provide ready access to energy-dense food options, which are purchased by pupils both within and outside of school premises. Timely interventions inclusive of school food policies can encourage healthier diets among pupils.
dc.identifier.citationOgum-Alangea D, Aryeetey RNO, Gray HL, Laar AK, Adanu RMK (2020) Basic school pupils’ food purchases during mid-morning break in urban Ghanaian schools. PLoS ONE 15(9): e0238308. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal. pone.0238308
dc.identifier.otherhttps://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0238308
dc.identifier.urihttps://ugspace.ug.edu.gh/handle/123456789/42623
dc.language.isoen
dc.publisherPLoS ONE
dc.relation.ispartofseriesVol.; 15
dc.relation.ispartofseriesNo.; 9
dc.subjectfood purchases
dc.subjectBasic school pupils’
dc.subjectmid-morning break
dc.titleBasic school pupils’ food purchases during mid-morning break in urban Ghanaian schools
dc.typeArticle

Files

Original bundle
Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
No Thumbnail Available
Name:
Basic school pupils’ food purchases during mid-morning break in urban Ghanaian schools.pdf
Size:
722.83 KB
Format:
Adobe Portable Document Format
Download
License bundle
Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
No Thumbnail Available
Name:
license.txt
Size:
1.71 KB
Format:
Item-specific license agreed upon to submission
Description:
Download

Collections

Department of Population, Family and Reproductive Health