Anemia Predicts Physical Fitness Among Adolescent Athletes in Ghana.

Background: Anemia indicates low blood hemoglobin levels and has become a public health problem among adolescents in developing countries. The prevalence among adolescent athletes and its effect on physical fitness has not been studied in Ghana. The study aimed to assess the impact of anemia on physical fitness among adolescent athletes in Ghana.

Dietary diversity and nutrient adequacy among women in Bosomtwe District, Ghana.

The sustainable development goals seek to end all forms of malnutrition of women of reproductive age (WRA) by 2030. As such, recent data on nutrient adequacy are needed to aid in tracking progress. However, data on specific dietary nutrient intakes includes only iron, folate, vitamin A, and vitamin B in Ghana.

Food acquisition and consumption by NOVA food classification and lived poverty index among rural and urban households in South Africa and Ghana.

Objective: This study aimed to determine differences in food consumption by the NOVA food categories in South Africa and Ghana and how they relate to poverty and food supply systems.

Design: This study used a cross-sectional design to assess household food acquisition and lived poverty index.

Setting: The study was conducted in Khayelitsha and Mount Frere, urban and rural communities in South Africa, respectively, and Ahodwo and Ejuratia, urban and rural communities in Ghana, respectively.

10-year level, trends and socio-demographic disparities of obesity among Ghanaian adults-A systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies.

The double burden of malnutrition has assumed severer forms in Low and Middle Income Countries (LMICs) arising from sharper increases in prevalence rates of overweight and obesity in these countries compared to higher income countries. Considering that LMICs already have fragile health systems, the rising obesity levels may just be a ticking time bomb requiring expeditious implementation of priority actions by all global and national actors to prevent an explosion of cardiovascular disease related deaths. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to provide a current estimate of obesity and overweight prevalence among Ghanaian adults and assess socio-demographic disparities following the PRISMA guidelines.

Background commentary on the Researching the Obesogenic Food Environment (ROFE) project.

Objective: The objective of this commentary is to provide an overview of the rationale and objectives of the Researching the Obesogenic Food Environment (ROFE) project that was conducted in Ghana and South Africa.

Design: Narration has been used to describe the main objectives, phases as well as the methods used for the conduct of this project.

Setting: The project described in this commentary was conducted in Khayelitsha and Mount Frere in South Africa and Ahodwo and Ejuratia for Ghana.

Factors associated with food consumption and dietary diversity among infants aged 6-18 months in Ashanti Region, Ghana.

Background: Studies have reported a poor diet quality among children in Ghana and other developing countries. Inadequate dietary diversity among children may lead to deficiencies in micronutrient intake necessary for growth and other cognitive functions. Understanding factors associated with infants' diverse diets is a key step to promoting adequate infant and young child nutrition.

Nutrition Education Improves Knowledge of Iron and Iron-Rich Food Intake Practices among Young Adolescents: A Nonrandomized Controlled Trial.

Introduction: Nutrition education targeting adolescents' health has the potential to enhance their well-being into adulthood. This study assessed the impact of nutrition education on the knowledge of iron and iron-rich food intake practices of adolescents living in rural communities in Ghana.

Method: An intervention study was conducted among 137 adolescents; 69 were assigned to the intervention group and 68 to the control group.

Dietary Diversity and Nutritional Status of Adolescents in Rural Ghana.

Background: The rapid biological and physical changes during adolescence require adequate nutrient intake. This study assessed dietary diversity and nutritional status of adolescents living in selected rural areas in Ghana.

Method: In this cross-sectional study, 137 young adolescents, aged 10 to 14 years were recruited.

Comparative analysis of methyl-donor nutrient intakes and RCPM cognitive performance among school-aged children.

Background: Evidence shows a link between methyl-donor nutrient intakes and a child's cognitive ability. However, this is less known among Ghanaian children who might be at higher risk of methyl-donor nutrient deficiencies. This study showed comparative analysis of methyl-donor nutrient intakes and Raven's Coloured Progressive Matrices (RCPM) test performance among 2073 Ghanaian school children aged 9-13 years across four regions of Ghana.

The relationship between nutrition and physical activity knowledge and body mass index-for-age of school-aged children in selected schools in Ghana.

Background: Nutrition knowledge contributes significantly to the nutritional status and habits of individuals as it influences their food consumption. And body mass index (BMI) of individuals. Recent data suggests a relationship between nutrition and physical activity knowledge, attitude, practices, and anthropometric indices of Ghanaian children.

Predictors of adverse birth outcomes among pregnant adolescents in Ashanti Region, Ghana.

Adolescent pregnancy is associated with adverse birth outcomes. However, the determinants of these outcomes are understudied. The present study sought to identify the predictors of adverse birth outcomes among pregnant adolescents in Ghana.

Knowledge and practices of dietary iron and anemia among early adolescents in a rural district in Ghana.

The study assessed knowledge and practices of dietary iron intake and anemia among early adolescents in the Asante-Akim Municipality of Ghana. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 137 adolescents, aged 10-14 years. Structured questionnaire was used to collect data on sociodemographic, knowledge of iron, and anemia, and iron intake practices.

Iron status predicts cognitive test performance of primary school children from Kumasi, Ghana.

Background: Good nutritional status of school-aged children is crucial in achieving improved cognition. The objective of this study was to assess the relationship between nutritional status and cognition of school-aged children in the Kumasi metropolis, Ghana.

Methods: 389 children were selected from ten government-owned schools.

Factors associated with iron deficiency anaemia among pregnant teenagers in Ashanti Region, Ghana: A hospital-based prospective cohort study.

Background: Iron Deficiency Anaemia (IDA) is reportedly high in pregnant adults and the causes well studied. However, among pregnant teenagers, the levels and associated factors of IDA are not fully understood.

Methods: In a prospective cohort study among Ghanaian pregnant teenagers, aged 13-19 years, IDA prevalence and associated factors were investigated.

Physical fitness and cognitive function among school-aged children in selected basic schools in the Ho Municipality of Ghana.

Physical fitness is thought to promote cognitive function. Evidence about this is however lacking in the Ghanaian context. This study aimed to investigate the association between physical fitness and cognitive function among basic school children aged 8-13 years.

Dietary diversity and its correlates among pregnant adolescent girls in Ghana.

Background: Dietary diversity, a qualitative measure of dietary intake, which reflects the variety of foods consumed has been recommended to assuage nutritional problems related to insufficient micronutrients, and food insecurity. To better understand the underlying factors for poor birth outcomes in Ghana, we assessed factors associated with dietary diversity among rural and urban pregnant adolescents in the Ashanti Region of Ghana.

Methods: As part of a larger longitudinal cohort of 416 pregnant adolescents, the FAO minimum dietary diversity for women index was used to determine the dietary diversity score (DDS) of the participants from a previous days' 24-hour dietary recall data.

Patterns of Dietary Iron Intake, Iron Status, and Predictors of Haemoglobin Levels among Early Adolescents in a Rural Ghanaian District.

Introduction: Early adolescents are vulnerable to anaemia due to lean body mass and menarche. The study assessed patterns of dietary iron intake, iron status, and predictors of anaemia among early adolescents.

Method: One hundred and thirty-seven early adolescents were randomly selected in a rural district in Ghana.

Implementing effective eLearning for scaling up global capacity building: findings from the malnutrition elearning course evaluation in Ghana.

Background: Global demand for capacity building has increased interest for eLearning. As eLearning resources become more common, effective implementation is required to scale up utilization in Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs).

Objective: This paper describes the process of implementing a malnutrition eLearning course, effectiveness of course delivery models devised, factors affecting course completion, and cost comparison between the models and face-to-face training at healthcare and academic institutions in Ghana.

-Fortified Bread Reduces Metabolic Risk Factors among Cardiovascular Disease Outpatients at 37 Military Hospital, Accra: A Pilot Study.

Background: Dyslipidemia and hypertension are the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in patients with cardiovascular diseases (CVDs).

Objective: The study sought to evaluate the effects of -fortified bread on metabolic risk factors among CVD outpatients.

Method: From August 2016 to April 2017, a pilot study using a single-blinded randomized placebo-controlled trial was conducted by administering -fortified bread (150 g) and indistinguishable placebo (150 g white flour bread) daily to 122 CVD outpatients at 37 Military Hospital, Accra, Ghana, for 90 days.

Palm Weevil Larvae ( Fabricius) and Orange-Fleshed Sweet Potato-Enriched Biscuits Improved Nutritional Status in Female Wistar Albino Rats.

Edible insects have emerged as an inexpensive alternative source of protein for reducing the burden of malnutrition worldwide. However, there is a dearth of evidence on its efficacy, and thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the effect of edible insect consumption on the nutritional status of female Wistar albino rats. The study assessed the subchronic effect of palm weevil larvae (PWL) and orange-fleshed sweet potato- (OFSP-) enriched biscuits (fortified biscuits (FB), plain biscuits (PB), biscuits fortified with PWL (PWB), and biscuits fortified with OFSP only (SPB)) as a model to predict the potential of PWL to improve the nutritional status of pregnant women in Ghana.

Relationship between breakfast consumption, BMI status and physical fitness of Ghanaian school-aged children.

Background: Good nutrition and physical activity of school-aged children are important for ensuring optimum growth and reducing obesity. This present study assessed associations between breakfast consumption, BMI-for-Age (BMI) and physical fitness in a cross-section of school-aged children attending government-owned primary schools in Kumasi, Ghana.

Method: The sample consisted of 438 pupils (boys = 213; girls = 225; mean age 11.

Body Weight, Obesity Perception, and Actions to Achieve Desired Weight among Rural and Urban Ghanaian Adults.

Background: Accurate body weight perception is important to maintaining an ideal body weight. In Africa, a preference for a larger body size and its association with health and wellbeing has been well documented. It remains speculative if these perceptions have changed or improved and if differences exist among rural and urban dwellers.

The relationship between dietary micronutrients intake and cognition test performance among school-aged children in government-owned primary schools in Kumasi metropolis, Ghana.

Nutrients are critical for optimal brain development, and good nutritional status is associated with cognitive development and improvement. The relationship between micronutrients intake and cognition in Ghanaian school-aged children has not been studied. The study investigated dietary intakes of micronutrients and cognition test performance of school-aged children.

Nutritional composition and acceptability of biscuits fortified with palm weevil larvae ( and orange-fleshed sweet potato among pregnant women.

Edible insects are currently being promoted as an inexpensive alternative source of protein in underdeveloped countries due to the rising cost of conventional animal protein and the foreseen future deficit in its supply. A supplemental palm weevil larvae and orange-fleshed sweet potato biscuit was developed as part of efforts to understand the nutritional benefits of edible insects and to predict whether these benefits will contribute to better nutrition among pregnant women in Ghana. The palm weevil larvae flour and the orange-fleshed sweet potato flour were mixed with wheat flour in three formulations that had 0, 35, and 70% of palm weevil larvae flour, before being made into biscuits.