Associations between Dietary Patterns, Nutritional Status and Cognitive Performance of Final Year Undergraduate Students in the Department of Food Science and Technology, College of Science, KNUST

Marina Aferiba  Tandoh; Veronica Tawiah  Annaful

doi:10.4314/just.v40i1.1261

Marina Aferiba Tandoh (PhD) Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology
Veronica Tawiah Annaful Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology

DOI: https://doi.org/10.4314/just.v40i1.1261

Keywords: cognitive performance, nutritional status, Dietary pattern

Abstract

This study explored the relationship between dietary patterns, nutritional status and cognitive performance of final year undergraduate students in the Food Science and Technology department of KNUST. A cross sectional study was conducted among the final year undergraduate students of the Food Science and Technology Department, KNUST, Kumasi. A total of 30 participants were conveniently sampled for the study; however, only 21 were able to complete the study due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the resulting closure of schools. Five distinct dietary patterns were obtained using 99 food components identified through the food frequency questionnaire. These mainly comprised of starch-based foods, soups and stews with little fruits and vegetables consumption. A good proportion of participants (42.9%) had normal BMI. The prevalence of underweight, overweight and obesity was 14.3%, 28.6% and 14.3% respectively. Participants with normal cognitive performance were slightly higher (52.4%) than those with mild cognitive impairment (47.6%) according to the Montreal Cognitive Assessment test. The results showed no significant correlation between dietary patterns and nutritional status. Adherence to dietary pattern 4 characterized by low consumption of iron-enhancing fruits, sea foods, soups and stews, high consumption of starch-based foods, no iron-enhancing vegetables and snack consumption was associated with cognitive decline. Fruits and vegetables consumption was generally low, necessitating nutrition education and campaigns to encourage healthy eating. Furthermore, it will be necessary to apply policies to regulate the quality of food sold at on-campus cafeterias and canteens since students eat from these places while on campus.

Author Biographies

Marina Aferiba Tandoh (PhD), Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology

Dr. Marina Aferiba Tandoh is currently a lecturer at the Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana. She holds a BSc in Biochemistry from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, MPhil Dietetics from the University of Ghana and a PhD in Foods and Nutrition from the University of Georgia, USA. Her areas of specialty include Clinical Nutrition, Nutrition Education and Communication, Food Services and Catering, Sports Nutrition, Parasitology and Global health.

Veronica Tawiah Annaful, Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology

Veronica Tawiah Annaful is currently a postgraduate student in MPhil Human Nutrition and Dietetics at the Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana. She holds a BSc in Biochemistry from the same university and has research interests in clinical nutrition, nutritional biochemistry, metabolism as well as nutritional and metabolic diseases.