The Relationship Between Food Security, Dietary Intake, Physical Activity Levels and Glycaemic Status of Adults in a Peri-Urban Community in Ghana

Keywords: Prediabetes, Diabetes, Body Mass Index, Diet, Physical Activity

Abstract

Purpose: Diabetes is a serious global public health issue with increasing prevalence over the years especially in developing countries. This study assessed the relationship between food security, dietary intake, physical activity levels and blood glucose levels of adults in a peri-urban community in Ghana.

Methodology: In this cross-sectional study, 94 participants were recruited and quantitative data were collected using a structured questionnaire. Socio-demographics, anthropometry, fasting blood glucose (FBG), dietary intake, physical activity and food security data were collected.

Findings: Of the 94 eligible respondents aged 18 years and above, 37.2% were men while 62.8% were women. The mean age, BMI and FBG levels were 33.3 years, 26.8 kg/m2 and 6.4 mmol/L respectively. About 27.7% of the participants were food insecure. Average calorie intake was 3244.20 kcal and this had a significant association with blood glucose status (p <0.001). Prevalence of impaired fasting glucose was 71.3% (range: FBG = 5.7 - 6.9 mmol/L) and 19.1% (range: FBG ≥ 7mmol/L) in the prediabetes and diabetes range respectively. About 52.1% of the population were physically active with males being more physically active (54.3%) than females (50.8%). Total energy intake (p < 0.001) and BMI levels (p = 0.009) were significantly associated with the FBG levels. There was however no significant relationship between physical activity, food securityand FBG.

Conclusion: Stakeholders should design plans to encourage a balanced diet, enough physical exercise, and a healthy weight in the municipality in order to curb the prevalence of prediabetes and type 2 diabetes in the study population.

Author Biographies

Mary Amoako (nee Adjepong), Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology

Mary Amoako (nee Adjepong) is a lecturer and dietician with the Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi Ghana. She has a Bachelor’s in Biochemistry and Biotechnology and MPhil in Human Nutrition and Dietetics both from KNUST. She earned a PhD in Human Nutrition form Michigan State University, East Lansing, USA and a professional certification as a registered dietician with the Allied Health professions Council, Ghana. She is interested in Nutrition and human development, Global nutrition, child and maternal nutrition. Her research seeks to help meet targets of Sustainable development goals 1,2,3,4,5,12 and 17, which seeks to end poverty, hunger, improve health and wellbeing, quality education, gender equality, responsible production and consumption as well as establish relevant partnership to meet the goals.

Desmond Afoakwa, Moscow State Medical University

Desmond Afoakwa is pursuing a Master of Public Health at First Moscow State Medical University in Russia, with Open Doors Olympiad scholarship award. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Ghana. His research area is public health, with a focus on nutritional epidemiology and the impact of lifestyle factors on chronic disease management. He has experience as a Course Instructor remotely at the University of the People, USA. He has also worked as a Medical Laboratory Assistant at Mamponteng Government Hospital, where he conducted various diagnostic tests and contributed to patient care. He is passionate about public health and community health initiatives.

Akosua Konadu Boateng, Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, KNUST

Akosua Konadu Boateng is a postgraduate student at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Ghana pursuing a Masters in Human Nutrition and Dietetics. She has a bachelor's degree in Biochemistry from the same university. Her research interests focuses on the sustainability of food and healthy lifestyles in the prevention and management of Non Communicable Diseases.

Benjamin Arthur, Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research

Benjamin Arthur is a member of the One-Health Bacteriology team at KCCR who specializes in addressing antimicrobial resistance (AMR) through a holistic One-Health approach. His work focuses on integrating human, animal, and environmental health perspectives to combat AMR. He collaborates with various health facilities, providing bacteriology expertise to enhance diagnostic and treatment capabilities. Additionally, he is committed to community education, raising awareness about AMR and promoting responsible antimicrobial use. He aims to bridge gaps between research, clinical practice, and public health to mitigate the impact of AMR effectively.

Ernest Tetteh Adokwei, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology

Ernest Tetteh Adokwei, a passionate and research-oriented individual who has much concern about public health. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Biochemistry from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Ghana, where he is currently pursuing my Master of Philosophy program in Molecular Medicine. His research area revolves around understanding the genetic factors that contribute to malaria transmission and resistance. He has extensive experience in sequencing and analyzing the genomes of malaria parasites from the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Legon. His research focuses on identifying genetic markers that can be targeted for new treatments and vaccines. With a strong background in molecular biology, he leverages advanced computational tools to interpret genomic data.

Nathaniel Nana Ackon, Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, KNUST

Nathaniel Nana Ackon, has a degree in degree in Biochemistry in Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology with an experience in data digitalization and analytics from University of Maryland. He aspires to relate data science coupled with pharmaceutical microbiology in tracing and identifying drug; its function and dosage effect and compatibility with the human systems.

Harriet Wugah, University of Cape Coast

Harriet Wugah holds a BEd. in Home Economics (Food and Nutrition option) from the University of Cape Coast (UCC), Ghana and an MPhil in Human Nutrition and Dietetics from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Ghana. Her research interest focuses on the impact of physical exercise and antioxidant nutrient intake on Non-communicable Diseases, specifically on improving glycaemic status in people with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. She aspires to be an expert in dietary management of Non- communicable Disease.

Collins Afriyie Appiah, Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, KNUST

Collins Afriyie Appiah has been a lecturer in nutrition and dietetics on the Human Nutrition and Dietetics programme at the Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, KNUST, Ghana since 2015. Collins is a PhD dietetics candidate at the University of the Free State, South Africa. He holds an MPhil degree in Dietetics from the University of Ghana and a BSc degree in Biochemistry from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Ghana. He has research interest in dietetic intervention in chronic diseases of lifestyle, dietetic intervention strategies for optimal maternal and child health, antioxidant nutrition in non-communicable diseases and therapeutic potential of local food/plant resources in nutrition-related diseases. Collins is a licensed dietitian (Ghana) with over 10 years’ experience in clinical and corporate dietetics practice in Ghana.

Published
2024-07-25
How to Cite
Essiam, F. A. A. P., Amoako (nee Adjepong), M., Afoakwa, D., Boateng, A. K., Arthur, B., Adokwei, E. T., Ackon, N., Wugah, H., & Appiah, C. A. (2024). The Relationship Between Food Security, Dietary Intake, Physical Activity Levels and Glycaemic Status of Adults in a Peri-Urban Community in Ghana. Journal of Science and Technology, 42(3), 54 - 68. https://doi.org/10.4314/just.v42i3.1651
Section
Articles