Fruit and Vegetable, Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Consumption among Kindergartners in Accra Metropolitan Area, Ghana: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Background: Fruit and vegetable consumption (F&VC) provide important nutrients and greatly reduces the risk of non-communicable diseases, especially when started from childhood. F&VC among adults in Ghana is one of the lowest worldwide, and this may also pertain to children. Since school children spend considerable time in school, what they eat during school hours is important for their development. The objective of this study was to assess F&VC and the proportion of sugarsweetened beverage consumption (SSBC) among two socio-economic classes. Methods: A cross-sectional study of kindergartners in the Accra Metropolitan Area was carried out. Fruits, vegetables, sugar-sweetened beverages and two socioeconomic classes were defined prior to the study. Six schools were randomly selected; two each from three sub-metros from the Accra-Metropolitan Area. Data on meals eaten by 422 kindergartners were collected through observation and interview, guided by a checklist. Means and percentages were calculated. F&VC and SSBC was assessed along the two socio-economic classes. Results: Feeding options at school were home-packed, school-provided, and meals sold by vendors. The mean age of the respondents was 4.1 years, with 49.1% (207/422) being male. The proportion of kindergartners who consumed schoolprovided and home-packed meals was 70.1% (296/422) and 64.5% (272/422) respectively. Only 2.2% (9/422) of kindergartners consumed fruits, whereas total vegetable consumption was 34.1% (144/422). SSBC was associated with socioeconomic class (95% CI 0.28-0.62). Conclusions: F&VC was generally low in the study population. SSBC was high, especially, in kindergartners from the higher socio-economic class schools. The Ghana Education Service should promote their consumption, by making fruits and vegetables available in schools.