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Obirikorang C, Adu EA, Anto EO, Afum-Adjei Awuah A, Fynn ANB, Osei-Somuah G, Ansong PN, Boakye AO, Ofori-Boadu I, Obirikorang Y, Adobasom-Anane AG, Nyarko EN, Balmer L. Prevalence and risk factors of obesity among undergraduate student population in Ghana: an evaluation study of body composition indices. BMC Public Health 2024; 24:877. [PMID: 38515106 PMCID: PMC10958924 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-023-17175-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2023] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 03/23/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Obesity is a classified risk factor for several of the world's leading causes of death. In this study, we combined information contained in body mass index (BMI), total percentage body fat (TPBF) and relative fat mass (RFM) to estimate obesity prevalence and examine the risk factors associated with obesity. METHODS The study recruited 1027 undergraduate students aged between 16 and 25 years using a cross-sectional study design and two-stage stratified random sampling between January and April 2019 from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana. Demographic, lifestyle, and family history of chronic disease data, were collected using a structured questionnaire. Bioelectrical impedance, along with height, weight, age, and gender, were used to estimate BMI and TPBF. The RFM was calculated using a published equation. The TPBF and RFM ranges were evaluated based on standard BMI thresholds and an informative combined obesity prevalence estimated in a Bayesian framework. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate potential risk factors of overweight/obesity. RESULTS Concordance between BMI, TPBF and RFM for obesity classification was 84% among female and 82.9% among male students. The Bayesian analysis revealed a combined prevalence means of obesity of 9.4% (95%CI: 6.9-12.2%) among female students and 6.7% (95%CI:4.3-9.5%) among male students. The odds of obesity were increased between 1.8 and 2.5 for females depending on the classification index. A significant increasing trend of obesity was observed with university-level. A family history of obesity was associated with a high estimate of general, central, and high TPBF. CONCLUSION Using multiple adiposity indicators conjointly in a Bayesian framework offers a greater power to examine obesity prevalence. We have applied this and reported high obesity prevalence, especially among female students. University level and family history of obesity were key determinants for obesity among the student population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Obirikorang
- Department of Molecular Medicine, School of Medical Science, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi, Ghana.
- Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research, Kumasi, Ghana.
| | - Evans Asamoah Adu
- Department of Molecular Medicine, School of Medical Science, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi, Ghana
- Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Enoch Odame Anto
- Department of Medical Diagnostics, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
- Centre for Precision Health, School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Anthony Afum-Adjei Awuah
- Department of Molecular Medicine, School of Medical Science, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi, Ghana
- Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research, Kumasi, Ghana
| | | | - George Osei-Somuah
- Department of Medical Diagnostics, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Patience Nyarkoa Ansong
- Department of Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, Garden City University College, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Alexander Owusu Boakye
- Department of Molecular Medicine, School of Medical Science, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi, Ghana
- Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Ivy Ofori-Boadu
- Department of Medical Diagnostics, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Yaa Obirikorang
- Department of Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, Garden City University College, Kumasi, Ghana
| | | | - Eric Ny Nyarko
- Department of Chemical Pathology, University of Ghana Medical School, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | - Lois Balmer
- Centre for Precision Health, School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Western Australia, Australia
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Sekyi E, Agyapong NAF, Eshun G. Food consumption by NOVA food classification, metabolic outcomes, and barriers to healthy food consumption among university students. Food Sci Nutr 2024; 12:1983-1994. [PMID: 38455168 PMCID: PMC10916562 DOI: 10.1002/fsn3.3894] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2023] [Revised: 11/22/2023] [Accepted: 11/24/2023] [Indexed: 03/09/2024] Open
Abstract
The NOVA food classification system is a simple tool that can be used to assess the consumption levels of different categories of foods based on their level of processing. The degree to which food is processed has a significant impact on health outcomes. In Ghana, no study exists on the consumption of the different NOVA food groups among tertiary students and how it relates to their metabolic outcomes. This study assessed the frequency of food intake according to the NOVA classification and how they relate to body mass index, waist circumference, and blood pressure. The barriers to the consumption of healthy foods among students were also assessed. This was a cross-sectional study conducted among 352 students of the Takoradi Technical University. Questionnaire was used to obtain sociodemographic information as well as data on perceived barriers to healthy food consumption. Food frequency questionnaire was used to obtain data on dietary intake. The weight, height, waist circumference, waist-to-hip ratio, and blood pressure of all participants were measured. Chi-square was used to compare categorical variables between males and females and to determine the association between the frequency of food intake according to the NOVA classification and metabolic indicators. The prevalence of overweight and obesity was 23.8%. More than half (51.1%) of the students had elevated blood pressure. The majority of study participants (54.2%) had a high frequency of consumption of both unprocessed and ultra-processed foods. Male students who frequently consumed ultra-processed foods (1-6 times/day) had significantly high blood pressure. High consumption of both ultra-processed and unprocessed foods was also associated with elevated blood pressure among male students. Limited time to prepare healthy meals and the high cost of unprocessed foods were among barriers to which most students strongly agreed to. Establishment of canteens that provide affordable healthy foods, teaching students time management, and nutrition education can mitigate barriers to healthy food consumption.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth Sekyi
- Department of Hospitality ManagementTakoradi Technical UniversityTakoradiGhana
- Department of Food and Nutrition Education, Faculty of Home Economics EducationUniversity of EducationWinnebaGhana
| | - Nana Ama Frimpomaa Agyapong
- Department of Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics, College of Health and Allied SciencesUniversity of Cape CoastCape CoastGhana
| | - Guy Eshun
- Department of Food and Nutrition Education, Faculty of Home Economics EducationUniversity of EducationWinnebaGhana
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Sewor C, Obeng AA, Eliason S, Agbeno EK, Amegah AK. Fruits and vegetables intake improves birth outcomes of women with gestational diabetes mellitus and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. BMC Nutr 2024; 10:2. [PMID: 38167235 PMCID: PMC10763264 DOI: 10.1186/s40795-023-00814-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2022] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Disorders of pregnancy such as hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) have been associated with adverse birth outcomes. However, the ameliorating role of maternal nutrition in the relationship between disorders of pregnancy and adverse birth outcomes has received very little attention. We investigated the relationship between HDP and GDM, and adverse birth outcomes in a Ghanaian population and evaluated the effect modifying role of fruits and vegetables consumption in the relationship. METHODS We conducted a cross-sectional study among 799 mothers who had recently delivered singletons in the Cape Coast Metropolis, Ghana. Information on HDP, GDM and birth outcomes were retrieved from the maternal health book of the mothers. A food frequency questionnaire was used to assess fruits and vegetables intake during pregnancy. Modified Poisson regression was used to investigate the association between pregnancy disorders, and preterm birth (PTB) and low birth weight (LBW). Stratified analysis was used to assess the effect modifying role of fruits and vegetables consumption in the relationship. RESULTS The proportion of mothers with HDP and GDM was 11.3% and 7.5%, respectively. The proportion of the mothers with both conditions was 0.9%. The prevalence of PTB and LBW in the population was 27.9 and 7.3%, respectively. These disorders of pregnancy were associated with increased risk of PTB (Adjusted Prevalence Ration [APR] = 3.02; 95% CI: 2.42, 3.77) and LBW (APR = 5.32; 95% CI: 3.19, 8.88). In the stratified analysis, risk of PTB was higher among mothers classified in tertile I compared to mothers classified in tertiles II and III. For LBW, the risk increased with increasing fruits and vegetables consumption. The interaction p values were 0.0043 and 0.1604 for PTB and LBW, respectively. CONCLUSIONS We found mothers who were diagnosed with GDM and HDP to have increased risk of delivering a PTB and LBW baby. We also found fruits and vegetables consumption to modify the observed relationship. Mothers diagnosed with GDM and HDP should be advised during antenatal care visits to increase intake of fruits and vegetable consumption to help safeguard their health and that of the developing foetus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Sewor
- Public Health Research Group, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cape Coast, Private Mail Bag, Cape Coast, Ghana
- Department of Public Health and Community Medicine, Central University of Kerala, Kasaragod, Kerala, India
| | - Akua A Obeng
- Public Health Research Group, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cape Coast, Private Mail Bag, Cape Coast, Ghana
| | - Sebastian Eliason
- Department of Community Medicine, School of Medical Sciences, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana
| | - Evans K Agbeno
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medical Sciences, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana
| | - A Kofi Amegah
- Public Health Research Group, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cape Coast, Private Mail Bag, Cape Coast, Ghana.
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