ABSTRACT Background: The global prevalence of chronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs) continues to rise, accounting for over 71% of all global death and responsible for over 40% of pre-mature death (death occurring before the age 70 years). Low and middle income countries (LMIC) are expected to suffer the brunt of this epidemic, leading to high rates of disease, death and disability adjusted live years (DALYs). Most NCD’s and their shared risk factors are preventable through lifestyle mo...
ABSTRACT Background: Household food consumption is a dynamic process that may influence the dietary intake and nutritional status of children living in the household. Children in their first five years are nutritionally vulnerable given their increased energy and nutrient needs. As these children are completely weaned and depend solely on household foods, less attention might be paid to the adequacy and quality of diet as compared to when they were receiving complementary foods. Objectiv...
ABSTRACT Background: Increased consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB) among all age groups is a global public health concern due to its association with non-communicable diseases (NCDs). In response to this concern, some countries are employing multifaceted policy interventions that includes mandatory nutrition labelling of pre-packaged foods to control the rise in diet-related NCDs rates. Policy markers require current information on the readiness of the food and beverage industry, a...
ABSTRACT Background: Micronutrients are extremely important components of a high-quality diet and even though they are required in very small amounts, they are important in the building of healthy brains, bones and body. Micronutrient deficiency is a problem as its effects are irreversible. In Africa, vitamin A deficiency is reported to be the cause of about 6% of deaths of children under the age of 5 years, and a major public health issue in Ghana. Inadequate dietary intake of vitamin A-ric...
ABSTRACT Background: Anaemia is an important public health problem worldwide and the most vulnerable group, are pregnant women and children. Anaemia associated with pregnancy is a serious health problem and its control requires the initial identification of the major factors responsible. Determination of the possible causes of nutritional anaemia among pregnant women is important to ensure satisfactory birth outcomes. In Ghana there is little data on the usual dietary intake among pregnant wo...
ABSTRACT Background: Exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) for the first six months after birth has been recommended by the WHO as the best infant feeding strategy. Despite this, studies carried out in Ghana among singletons indicate low EBF rates. Data on EBF rates among twin infants in Ghana remain limited and the EBF rate among twins is hypothesized to be low. Objectives: The study sought to identify factors associated with EBF among Ghanaian infants particularly, twins. The duration of EBF among ...
A B S T R A C T Reduction of infant and maternal mortality is a part of the WHO/UNICEF goals set in 1991 to be achieved by the year 2000. Maternal and infant mortality can be reduced by ensuring favourable outcome of pregnancy. This study sought to assess the effects of nutrition and health habits of pregnant women on pregnancy outcome. A total of 502 pregnant women attending ante-natal clinics in the Greater Accra region participated in an epidemiological study, which involved a study of foo...
ABSTRACT Soybean, a high protcin/oil legume is known (o contain high levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids, which are susceptible to lipid oxidation and hydrolysis. However, suitable processing methods and storage conditions can enhance the stability o f lipid in soyflour. The objective of the project was to investigate the effects of some processing methods and storage conditions on the stability o f lipid in soyflour and to define the parameters for the prediction o f the shelf life soyflou...
ABSTRACT Background: Nutritional status is the balance between the intake of nutrients and the expenditure of these in the processes of growth, reproduction, and health maintenance. Under nutrition, especially in children, can lead to substantial problems in mental and physical development. Undernourished children can also suffer several diseases from nutrient deficiencies. Although the overall pattern of growth is genetically determined, it is significantly affected by nutrition. Socioeconom...
ABSTRACT Growth Monitoring and Promotion (GMP) is a public health intervention which makes use of frequent assessment of the growth of children under five years. The programme enables health workers to early detect growth failure and take corrective actions through improvements in feeding and care practices. Despite evidence that most caregivers in Ghana have contact with GMP through monthly child welfare clinics (CWC), child feeding practices remain sub-optimal and child undernutrition persi...
ABSTRACT Background: Nutrition support remains a key component of medical care. It is beneficial for critically ill patients with eating difficulties and their inability to meet their nutritional requirements. Nutrition support has been shown to positively affect clinical outcomes. Notwithstanding, there is paucity of published data on nutrition support practices and delivery in Ghanaian hospitals. Aim: To investigate nutrition support and its related practices in hospitals in Ghana. Method: ...
ABSTRACT This study was done to ascertain the food security and nutritional status of children aged between two and five years in Kpone, a fishing community in the Greater Accra region of Ghana. The objectives were to assess (i) some household and child health characteristics, (ii) dietary adequacy for energy, protein, iron and vitamin A, (iii) the food security status of the children, (iv) growth by anthropometry and (v) serum iron and vitamin A status of the children. In the major fish seas...
ABSTRACT Background: Diabetes is a chronic disease and has been found to be the fourth or fifth leading cause of death in most developed, developing and newly industrialized countries. The growing middle class and ever changing lifestyle in developing countries have led to the rapid increase in the burden of diabetes (Type 2) even among the poor. The epidemiological trend has caught up with Ghana. Medical research has found that dietary treatment is the best control for type 2 diabetes. Howev...
ABSTRACT Background Nutritional anaemia in pregnancy still remains a problem of public health concern particularly in developing countries such as Ghana. The period of adolescence and pregnancy are both critical periods that place the individual at risk of developing nutrient deficiencies because of the rapid and increased demands in nutrients. Failure to meet the nutritional demands can affect the growth of the adolescent mother and that of the developing baby. Literature gaps exist in the ...
ABSTRACT Background: Iron deficiency anaemia is a consequence of suboptimal dietary iron intake or inefficient dietary iron absorption. Dialium guineense also known as black velvet tamarind (BVT) has a rich combination of both iron as well as vitamin C, coupled with low levels of antinutrients. Traditionally, the fruit pulp of BVT is used to treat iron deficiency anaemia in certain parts of the Ghana. The efficacy and effectiveness of these interventions however need a wider exploration. Aim:...