More than 50% Ghanaians obese – Survey

According to the nation's first thorough analysis of obesity and lifestyle, according to Graphic.com.gh, 85% of Ghanaians don't eat correctly and more than 50% are overweight or obese.

Given the alarming information on eating habits and inactivity, the research—conducted in Accra, Kumasi, and Tamale—found that the results were not unexpected.

According to the WHO's recommendations for fruit and vegetable intake, more than half of the population does not exercise, and over 90% of people do not eat healthily.

If left uncontrolled, public health experts believe the study's findings could pose serious health risks to millions of Ghanaians.

For the GSS's study on obesity, more than 3,380 people in the three cities were interviewed.

When sampling and gathering data, the GSS took height and weight into account. The WHO suggests eating five 80-gram meals, or 400 grams, of fruits and vegetables each day.

Eating Right

According to Dr. Kingsley Agyemang, Academic Lead of the Ghana Obesity Survey, sedentary lifestyles are to blame for Ghana's rising obesity rate.

He noted that obesity is bad for both the individual and the nation. To obesity, he called for "context-specific, culturally sensitive, cost-effective, and sustainable" public health measures.

He promoted eating five meals each day, which should include cooked or raw fruits and vegetables.

However, he pointed out that the survey showed that the majority of people don't eat fruits and vegetables.

Stakeholder

The study's approach was determined at the first stakeholder engagement obesity workshop held in 2019.

There were more than 50 decision-makers from diverse sectors. He suggested that these interventions might consist of the widespread fitness initiatives Dr. Agyemang created in 2020.

According to him, Kingsley Keep Fit now hosts inter-school competitions and has more than 5,000 members throughout Ghana.

impact of policy

The study's importance for the policy was praised by Dr. Anthony Nsiah Asare, the President's advisor on health.

The study helped guide Ghanaian policies on obesity. The research team employed advanced sampling techniques and statistical analysis to evaluate the evidence basis, he continued.

Dr. Asare, a former director-general of the Ghana Health Service, thinks the report has already influenced how obesity policy is discussed.