ABSTRACT Atherosclerotic vascular diseases (AVDs) are presently increasing rapidly in incidence and have become key contributors to the burden of disease in most developing countries like Ghana. The condition has been projected to more than double by 2025. The type and amount of dietary fat has been associated with several disorders including AVDs and it complications. Diet, as one of the most important modifiable risk factors of Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) modulates the other known risk fac...
Abstract In an effort to evaluate the nutritional value of cowpea - fortified maize-dough, and to assess the availability and utilization of cowpeas in the Ga - district, this study was carried out. The study was designed to ascertain the socioeconomic factors associated with cowpea production, consumption, Post-harvest handling and distribution, as well as the nutritional benefit and efficacy of using cowpea as a fortifying-agent in fermented maize dough, a popular base for both traditional ...
ABSTRACT This study was initiated to identify the dominant microbial species and investigate their activities during the fermentation of soybeans to dawadawa. The dominant microorganisms present in both the boiled and roasted soydawadawa, which were spontaneously fermented for 72 h, were isolated, characterized and identified using an API kit. The proteinase and a-am ylase activities of the microorganisms were determined. Quality indices such as pH, moisture, protein and fat contents of the s...
ABSTRACT Background: Frequent cycles of reproduction (short interpregnancy interval) have been viewed as a risk factor for poor pregnancy outcomes, particularly low birth weight which may increase infant mortality. Objective: The purpose of the study was to compare the effect of long and short reproductive cycle on pregnancy outcome and maternal nutritional status. Method: A total of eighty-four pregnant women in their third trimester were enrolled in the study and were followed up till deliv...
ABSTRACT Background: Commercial Long Distance Drivers (CLDDs) are professional drivers who travel a distance of 140km or more on a regular basis. The habit of leaving home early and also driving for hours may all impact on eating practices, stress and overall health. In Ghana, it has been documented that road accidents are on the rise and these have been attributed to over speeding and careless or reckless driving. In the developed world studies have shown that cardiovascular diseases also co...
ABSTRACT This project report, submitted to the University of Ghana, was on the efficacy of commonly purported ergogenic aids used by athletes. Literature review was conducted on 77 substances to ascertain their ergogenic effects. Possible adverse effects on health and legality were also looked at. Only five (6%) of the supplements had clear scientific support for their ergogenic effects. These include alkaline salts (sodium bicarbonate, sodium citrate), caffeine (including sources of caffei...
ABSTRACT Diet is one of the very important components in diabetes treatment, and since its main problem is utilisation of glucose, diabetics are advised to carefully select foods rich in carbohydrates. It is worth noting that cassava which has a comparable carbohydrate (wet weight) content (40.8g/100g) to plantain (39.3g/100g) and energy values of 171 cal/lOOg and 169 cal/lOOg (on wet-weight basis) respectively is avoided by many diabetics who eat mostly plantain. The belief is that cassava c...
ABSTRACT Background: The efficacy of Plumpy’nuts (PPN) has been technically and medically documented as an appropriate product for the treatment of severe acute malnutrition (SAM) in children. SAM is a chief killer of children < 5 years, responsible for 1 million deaths yearly. Children with SAM risk dying 9 times more than non-SAM children. Aim: To evaluate the acceptability of PPN, “a ready-to-use therapeutic food” among malnourished children in selected rehabilitation centers in the ...
ABSTRACT Salted and dried Tilapia, Koobi, obtained from retail outlets and that processed in the laboratory (under various treatments) were analyzed for their histamine content. These were done with a view to establishing baseline data on histamine levels in Koobi as well as investigate the effect of handling, processing and storage on histamine evolution in Koobi. Sodium chloride levels, moisture contents, water activity and microbial counts were also determined for the Koobi samples. The hi...
ABSTRACT Background: Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a chronic genetic blood disorder common among people of African descent. The disease places nutritional burden among affected individuals which affect their nutritional status. The aim of the study was to determine the dietary intake and nutritional status of children with sickle cell disease and determine the associations of severity of illness with dietary intake and nutritional status. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was carried out ...
ABSTRACT Background Globally, anaemia remains a severe public health concern among women of reproductive ages including pregnant women in developing countries like Liberia. Anaemia can be attributed to nutritional deficiency resulting from factors such as inadequate or poor dietary intake, food insecurity, infections. Poor dietary diversity also leads to increased micronutrient deficiencies. Nevertheless, there is limited documentation of anaemia prevalence and dietary diversity among pregnan...
ABSTRACT Background: The ageing process involves physiological and nutritional changes and many health issues have been associated with these changes. Poor oral health, which affects chewing and swallowing is common in the ageing population (≥50years) and has an influence on their overall nutrition and general health. A number of studies have linked missing teeth and other oral issues to poorer diets, however not many studies have related these results to effects on BMI, energy and micronu...
ABSTRACT 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 mixedmethods 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 s...
ABSTRACT Background: Chronic diseases such as type-2 diabetes require continuous medical care and ongoing patient self-management education and support to prevent multiple complications and premature mortality. Adequate nutrition knowledge and appropriate dietary habits play key roles in the nutritional management of type-2 diabetes. Therefore, providing adequate nutrition information and skills on indicators such as good diet, physical activity, and health have been shown to improve the well...
ABSTRACT Introduction: Understanding the determinants and perceptions of overweight (OV) and obesity (OB) using both quantitative and qualitative approaches is important due to their association with other chronic diseases. Objective: To identify the sociodemographic determinants of OV and OB and explore the perceptions of Ghanaian women about OV and OB. Methods: Data on sociodemographic characteristics and anthropometry (weight, height, percent body fat) were collected on 799 biological moth...