Blood glucose responses to mixed Ghanaian diets in healthy adult males.

The blood glucose responses to five Ghanaian carbohydrate sources, unripe plantain, Ga kenkey, Gari, rice and yam, as part of mixed meals were determined in ten healthy young nondiabetic adult males aged 25.6 +/- 2.6 years with a BMI of 20.9 +/- 2.4 kg/m2. Ga kenkey showed the least changes in blood glucose responses as measured by the glycemic index. Yam exhibited the least favourable blood glucose responses. Significant difference were observed between the glycemic indices of kenkey and yam; Kenkey and gari (p < 0.01); rice and yam, plantain and yam (p < 0.05). Further studies of these carbohydrate sources are required in diabetics to ascertain their suitability as carbohydrate sources in Ghanaian diabetics.

Carbohydrate and electrolyte content of some home-available fluids used for oral rehydration in Ghana.

Coconut milk and kenkey water (a maize gruel) which are traditionally used for the treatment of diarrhoea in Ghana, were analysed to ascertain their suitability for use in rehydration. The pH, carbohydrate, and electrolyte levels of the food fluids were compared to the recommended UNICEF/WHO ORS to ascertain if these are within physiologically acceptable ranges for the treatment and prevention of dehydration in children with diarrhoea. The carbohydrate and electrolyte levels of kenkey water were found to be comparable to UNICEF/WHO ORS and is suitable for use in rehydration. Coconut milk has the advantages of being fresh, sterile and readily available in most Ghanaian communities. However, use of coconut milk for rehydration cannot be recommended on the basis of its glucose and electrolyte composition.

Infant feeding and growth in rural Ghana: is the use of the traditional fermented porridge a case for early supplementation?

Thirty infants were studied longitudinally for 6 months. Breast milk and intakes of supplements were measured at the first and third months post-partum. Mode of feeding, morbidity, and weights were recorded monthly. Variations in growth were found to be related to levels of breast milk intakes, and timely and effective supplementation with the traditional weaning porridge prepared from fermented maize dough. No diarrhoeal incidence was recorded before 3 months. It is suggested that coupled with true demand breast feeding, the traditional weaning porridge could adequately support growth if introduced on time, even when breast milk intakes are less than optimal.

Nutritional status of children in the Upper East Region of Ghana

Anthropometric measurements and food consumption survey were undertaken to assess the nutritional status of children in a village of the Upper East Region of Ghana. Results showed that mean body weight and height of 3 to 12 year-old children were about 80 per cent and 90 per cent of Harvard Standard; respectively. Mean energy intake was about 70 per cent of RDA (Recommended Dietary Allowance by FAO/WHO). Though mean intake of dietary proteins was comparable to the RDA; the animal protein portion was only about 5 per cent. Iron; niacin and thiamin intakes were comparable to the RDAs. Calcium and riboflavin intakes were low; being about half of the RDAs. Wide individual variations of retinol intakes were observed among the subjects. The poor dietary situation might be a major contributory factor to the low anthropometric indices of the children in this region

Does prolonged breastfeeding adversely affect a child's nutritional status?

In 202 children who visited a children's hospital in the city of Accra, Ghana, breastfeeding beyond the age of 19 months was found to be associated with malnutrition. The effect of weaning on food intake was then studied in 15 breastfed malnourished children in a rural community. Before weaning (complete cessation of breast-feeding) protein and energy intakes of all the malnourished children were about half those of 5 normal children. 10 of the malnourished children were weaned, and their intakes rose to the levels of the normal children; the 5 who continued breastfeeding maintained their low intakes. These results indicate that prolonged breastfeeding can reduce total food intake and thus predispose to malnutrition. They also suggest that in Ghana and other developing countries the proper weaning age may be about 18 months.

PIP: In 202 children who visited a children's hospital in the city of Accra, Ghana, breastfeeding beyond the age of 19 months was found to be associated with malnutrition. The effect of weaning on food intake was then studied in 15 breastfed malnourished children in a rural community. Before weaning, protein and energy intakes of all the malnourished children were about 1/2 those of 5 normal children. 10 of the malnourished children were weaned, and their intakes rose to the levels of the normal children; the 5 who continued breastfeeding maintained their low intakes. These results indicate that prolonged breastfeeding can reduce total food intake and thus predispose to malnutrition. They also suggest that in Ghana and other developing countries the proper weaning age may be about 18 months. It is suggested that, when breastfed children who are over 12 months old show reluctance to take supplementary foods, they should be weaned completely to enhance their food intake. It is also suggested that, in Ghana, breastfed children who eat well may be weaned at about 18 months without adverse effects on their health. However, in view of the major advantages of long-term breastfeeding, as well as the disadvantages, more work will have to be done to substantiate these observations.