Dietary patterns and associated risk factors among school age children in urban Ghana

• Published in: BMC nutrition 2018-01, Vol.4 (1), p.22-22, Article 22
• Main Authors: Ogum Alangea, Deda, Aryeetey, Richmond N, Gray, Heewon L, Laar, Amos K, Adanu, Richard M K
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Dietary behaviour; Dietary patterns; Energy-dense; Ghana; Overweight; School-age children
• ISSN: 2055-0928; 2055-0928
• DOI: 10.1186/s40795-018-0230-2

Understanding dietary patterns in the study of diet-disease relationships is crucial for designing dietary behaviour interventions. This study aimed to determine associations between dietary patterns and background characteristics among school age children (9-15 years) in Ghana. A cross-sectional sample of 487 urban-dwelling children age 9-15 years was recruited using simple random sampling from 24 schools (12 private and 12 public) in the Ga-East Municipality in Southern Ghana. A 7-day food frequency questionnaire was used to record children's consumption of over 100 unique food items. Principal component analyses based on 14 food groups was used to describe emerging dietary patterns (DP). BMI-for-age z-scores segregated by sex were derived using WHO Anthro plus software. Linear regression was used to test associations between 'diet factor' scores, and weight status controlling for age. Four DPs were identified that explained 53.2% of variation in the diets of children: (1) energy dense; (2) starchy root staple and vegetables; (3) cereal-grain staples and poultry; and (4) fish & seafoods. Energy dense DP characterised by processed meat, fried foods, and sugary foods was associated with child overweight/obese status after controlling for age, sex, SES and school type [F(5, 484) = 6.868,