The Effect of a Turkey Berry (Solanum torvum)-Fortified Biscuit on the Hemoglobin Level and Cognitive Performance of Adolescent Females in the Ahafo Region of Ghana: A Pilot Study.

Anemia is a public health problem that affects about 50% of adolescent females in sub-Saharan Africa. Anemia can negatively affect the overall growth, cognitive performance, and productivity of school-going adolescents. This pilot study assessed the impact of Solanum torvum-fortified biscuits on hemoglobin levels and cognitive performance of school-going adolescent females. A cluster randomized controlled, open labeled trial was undertaken among four basic schools in the Ahafo Region of Ghana. Out of the 169 participants, 151 (intervention = 83, control = 68) adolescent females completed the trial. The intervention and control groups were made up of two schools each. The participants in the intervention and control groups received a total of 30 turkey berry-fortified biscuit supplementation or 30 placebos for a period of six weeks, respectively. The hemoglobin levels and cognitive test scores were obtained before and after the intervention. The number of anemic cases and low cognitive performance among the female adolescents in the intervention group reduced by 23.8% and 8.7%, respectively. There was a positive impact on the hemoglobin levels and cognitive performance of the intervention group. For every unit of turkey berry-fortified biscuit consumed by the intervention group, there was a 0.945 unit increase in hemoglobin level (p = 0.001) and a 2.796 unit increase in cognitive performance (p = 0.005). The turkey berry-fortified biscuit significantly reduced anemia prevalence and improved cognitive performance among the adolescent girls. Therefore, its potential in the management of anemia and improvement of cognition could be explored.

Exposure and health risk assessment of transition metals in rice found on the Ghanaian market.

This study investigates the concentration of transition metals in imported and local rice brands on sale in some Ghanaian markets and the biochemical influences on the health of the Ghanaian population. A comparative analysis with previous studies in Ghana reveals that levels of Fe (3.64-4.44 mg/kg), Cd (0.03 mg/kg) and Cu (14.07-38.13 mg/kg) in the current study are much lower than the 13.67-21.35, 1.67-3.01, and 14.07-38.13 mg/kg recorded for Fe, Cd, and Cu, respectively. Rice sold in the Ghanaian markets contained different transition metals of which some are essential (Zn, Cu, Mn, and Fe). The levels of transition metals, such as Mn, Zn, Cd, Cu, and Fe are in moderate concentrations, which are well within the maximum acceptable limit of the World Health Organization. This study has revealed that R5 and R9 from the USA and India, respectively, recorded hazard indices above the safe limit of 1 and can therefore have the potential to pose detrimental health complications to consumers in the long term.

Lifestyle habits, macronutrient intake, and obesity prevalence among adolescents in rural-periurban community senior high schools in the Ho municipality of Ghana.

Background: Adolescence is a critical stage in the life cycle that presents a window of opportunity for the formation of lifetime habits or an aversion to childhood malnutrition effects. This study assessed the lifestyle habits, macronutrient intakes, and obesity prevalence among adolescents in some selected Senior High Schools in rural communities in Ho Municipality. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 272 adolescents aged 13-19 years and attending senior high schools in the Ho Municipality of Ghana. Data on sociodemographic, physical activity levels, dietary habits, and anthropometrics were obtained. A body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC) were determined, while a repeated 24-h dietary recall was used to collect the dietary intakes of the participants. Results: The majority of the adolescents did not meet the Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDA) for calories (94.5%), dietary protein (68.8%), and fibre (91.5%). Adolescent boys consumed more calories (1,969.7 ± 579.9 Kcal) on average than adolescent girls (1,658.0 ± 458.7 Kcal) (p = 0.001). Overweight and obesity prevalence were 15.8 and 8.5%, respectively. About 90.4% of the adolescents did not meet the WHO recommended 150 min per week of physical exercise. On sedentary, 97.6% of adolescents spent half an hour to 5 h per day watching television when at home. Breakfast was the most frequently skipped meal (47.9%), and 59.6% of adolescents consumed fast foods such as pizza, burgers, and ice cream one to three times per week. Adolescent girls also had higher odds of being overweight or obese compared with adolescent boys (AOR = 2.4, p = 0.094, 95% CI = 0.9-6.4). Adolescents who did not meet the RDA for calories had lower odds of being overweight or obese compared with those who did (UOR = 0.3, p = 0.045, 95% CI = 0.1-0.9). Conclusion: Poor dietary habits and intake, sedentary lifestyle, and obesity prevalence were observed among the adolescents. Being an adolescent girl was associated with obesity risk, while not meeting caloric intake showed a protective effect. Efficient and effective nutrition and lifestyle education programme should be promoted in communities to improve the dietary intake and lifestyle habits of adolescents.