Browsing by Author "Agyapong, Nana Ama Frimpomaa"

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    Food acquisition and consumption by NOVAfood classification and lived poverty index among rural and urban households in SouthAfrica and Ghana
    (Public Health Nutrition, 2024) Agyapong, Nana Ama Frimpomaa; Annan, Reginald A.; , Kroll, Florian; Apprey, Charles; Aduku, Linda Nana Esi; Aidoo, Robert; Swart, Elizabeth Catherina; 0000-0002-4071-5049
    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. Participant: An adult in charge of or knowledgeable about household food acquisition and consumption was selected to participate in the study. Results: A total of 1299 households participated in the study. Supermarkets were a prominent source of ultra-processed foods for households in South Africa, while informal outlets were an important source of ultra-processed foods in Ghana. Consumption of unprocessed foods was higher among South African households (58·2 %) than Ghanaian households (41·8 %). In South Africa, deprivation was associated with increased odds of infrequent consumption of both unprocessed foods (OR 3·431 P < 0·001) and ultra-processed foods (OR 2·656 P <0·001) compared with non-deprivation. In Ghana, no significant differences were observed between deprived households and non-deprived households in relation to the consumption of the NOVA food classes. Conclusion: Different food supply systems and poverty are associated with household acquisition of the different NOVA food classes. Policies should be geared towards formal shops in South Africa and informal shops in Ghana to reduce the consumption of key obesogenic foods.
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    Metabolic Syndrome Parameters and their Associated Factors among Older Prisoners in the Ashanti Region of Ghana
    (OCTOBER, 2017) Agyapong, Nana Ama Frimpomaa
    Prison environments had been characterized by high rates of communicable diseases until recently when prevalence of non-communicable diseases have been assessed and high rates found especially among older inmates. This transition has been blamed primarily on inappropriate diets fed to inmates. In Ghana, little is known about diet and nutrient provisions and intakes among prisoners and their relationship with nutritional status and health. This study assessed food provision, dietary patterns and nutrient intakes and their relationship with metabolic syndrome among older prisoners. Household food record was used to estimate nutrients provision within the prisons and a single 24-hour recall was used to estimate the actual intakes of inmates. A total of one hundred and sixty inmates from the Kumasi central (131), Kumasi female (10) and Manhyia local prisons (19) were included in the study. Nutrient provision for protein, fibre, vitamin E, vitamin C, vitamin B12, folate and zinc were inadequate for male inmates but in excess for female prisoners. However, differences were observed between nutrient provision and actual intakes. This may be due to over or underestimation by inmates with a general probable underestimation. Metabolic syndrome was defined by the NCEP ATP III criteria. The mean systolic blood pressure of study participants was 141.1±23.2 mmHg, diastolic 88.9±15 mmHg, BMI 22.8±4.1kg/m2, waist circumference 81±10.3cm, FBS 4.3±0.9mmol/L, HDL 1.4±0.4mmol/L and triglycerides 1.1±0.6mmol/L. The overall prevalence of metabolic syndrome was 8.1%; 61.9% had one metabolic parameter and 21.9% had two parameters. Correlational analysis revealed a weak positive relationship between sodium intake and serum triglyceride (r= 0.212, p= 0.007); potassium and systolic (r=0.172, p= 0.030) and diastolic blood pressure (r=0.164, p= 0.039), vitamin B12 (r= 0.226, p= 0.004) and folate (r=0.186, p=0.018) and systolic blood pressure. No association was found between nutrient intakes and metabolic syndrome. In conclusion, nutrients provided were outside ranges of recommendations and higher than actual intakes. Prevalence of dyslipidaemia and elevated blood pressure were high among inmates. Adequacy of prison diets should be checked in order to prevent deficiencies and excesses and resultant increase in morbidity and mortality. Further studies should assess serum levels of these nutrients in order to determine more concrete association