Study presents is the geographical distribution of obesity in Ghana
A study commissioned by the Ghana Health Service (GHS) has brought the obesity crisis in Ghana into perspective. According to the report of the survey, 39 per cent of women in the country are obese.
The survey showed 49% of women in Ghana’s urban areas are obese, while the figure for rural dwellers was 29%.
47% per cent of women with obesity are in Ghana’s southern belt comprising Greater Accra, Ashanti and Eastern regions, while 19 per cent live in the three regions of the north.
Dr Seth Adu-Afarwuah, senior lecturer of nutrition at the University of Ghana attributed the prevalence of obesity, especially in the urban areas to top sedentary lifestyle and increasing taste for packed foods.
Another study presented by Dr Adu-Afarwuah also revealed that 21% of children in Ghana below age 5 experience stunted growth.
27% of children under five in rural areas were stunted, with 14 per cent of those in urban areas also experiencing stunting.
The researcher said the place of residence, as well as the wealth of people significantly influenced the prevalence of stunting in the country.
Details of the study showed that there was a 21.7 per cent national prevalence of anaemia among non-pregnant women, while the prevalence among children stood at 36 per cent Vitamin A deficiency in children under five also stood at 21 per cent.
In the area of Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH), the study showed that only three per cent of households had adequate sanitation facilities.
“Only 16 per cent of the households have fixed water sink and 63 per cent have water for hand washing at the place of dwelling. Only about a quarter of households in the country use clean cooking fuel,” the study added.
Dr Patrick Aboagye, Director of Family Health at GHS, described the findings as a wake-up call for policymakers to put in place mechanisms to tackle the challenges relating to the health needs of vulnerable groups, especially women and children.
