Additional file 1: of Dietary patterns and associated risk factors among school age children in urban Ghana

7-day Food Frequency Questionnaire. (DOCX 21 kb

Additional file 2: of Dietary patterns and associated risk factors among school age children in urban Ghana

Food items defined under specific sub-food groups used in the PCA. (DOCX 15 kb

Individual-level drivers of dietary behaviour in adolescents and women through the reproductive life course in urban Ghana: A Photovoice study

Evidence on the individual-level drivers of dietary behaviours in deprived urban contexts in Africa is limited. Understanding how to best inform the development and delivery of interventions to promote healthy dietary behaviours is needed. As noncommunicable diseases account for over 40% of deaths in Ghana, the country has reached an advanced stage of nutrition transition. The aim of this study was to identify individual-level factors (biological, demographic, cognitive, practices) influencing dietary behaviours among adolescent girls and women at different stages of the reproductive life course in urban Ghana with the goal of building evidence to improve targeted interventions. Qualitative Photovoice interviews (n = 64) were conducted in two urban neighbourhoods in Accra and Ho with adolescent girls (13–14 years) and women of reproductive age (15–49 years). Data analysis was both theory- and data-driven to allow for emerging themes. Thirty-seven factors, across four domains within the individual-level, were identified as having an influence on dietary behaviours: biological (n = 5), demographic (n = 8), cognitions (n = 13) and practices (n = 11). Several factors emerged as facilitators or barriers to healthy eating, with income/wealth (demographic); nutrition knowledge/preferences/risk perception (cognitions); and cooking skills/eating at home/time constraints (practices) emerging most frequently. Pregnancy/lactating status (biological) influenced dietary behaviours mainly through medical advice, awareness and willingness to eat foods to support foetal/infant growth and development. Many of these factors were intertwined with the wider food environment, especially concerns about the cost of food and food safety, suggesting that interventions need to account for individual-level as well as wider environmental drivers of dietary behaviours.</p

Additional file 3 of Pilot testing of the Becoming Breastfeeding Friendly toolbox in Ghana

Appendix S3. Policy Brief. This document is a policy brief developed and shared with high level decision makers across government and non-government stakeholders who participated in a high level decision makers consultation aimed at increasing awareness and uptake of the findings of the Becoming Breastfeeding Friendly Toolbox in Ghana. (PDF 1017 kb

Additional file 1: of Pilot testing of the Becoming Breastfeeding Friendly toolbox in Ghana

Appendix S1. Benchmark scores. This table presents the benchmark scores as well as gear total scores generated by the Becoming Breastfeeding Friendly Country committee in Ghana. (DOCX 18 kb

Additional file 2: of Pilot testing of the Becoming Breastfeeding Friendly toolbox in Ghana

Appendix S2. Infographic. This document is an infographic which was developed and shared with key stakeholders in breastfeeding in Ghana who were invited to participate in the fifth committee meeting of the Becoming Breastfeeding Friendly Committee. (PDF 860 kb

Comparison of static and dynamic balance training on muscle activation, static balance, jumping and sprint performance

The role of balance and balance training in athletic performance: -- Balance has long been recognized as an important factor in a number of sports (such as gymnastics, and figure skating) and more recently has been regarded as important in other sports as well. Lack of balance has been shown to be detrimental to optimal performance through decreases in strength and force production, increased fatigue as well as predisposition to injury. Much of the research regarding balance training focuses on injury rehabilitation and prevention with little focus on examining the effects of short and long term balance training on athletic performance. The purpose of this paper is therefore to provide a comprehensive review of literature regarding balance, short and long term effects of balance training and its possible beneficial effects on athletic performance. -- The objective of this study was to determine the effects static balance and dynamic balance training on muscle activation strategies, static balance, jump and sprint performance. Twenty-four recreationally active females were tested pre- and post-training (static balance training, n= 11, dynamic balance training, n = 7 and control group, n = 6). Experimental subjects completed either static or dynamic balance exercises 4 times per week for 6 weeks. Surface electromyography (EMG) was used to assess preparatory and reactive muscle activity of the rectus femoris (RF), biceps femoris (BF), and the soleus during one- and two-foot landings. Maximum vertical jump, static balance and sprint times were also examined. A 3-way ANOVA revealed a significant (p<.05) increase in reactive rectus femoris activity, as well as a group by time interaction for the reactive rectus femoris activity. The static balance group showed a 33% increase in reactive rectus femoris activity (p<.01). There was also significantly less reactive hamstring to quadriceps coactivation following training (p<.05). The group by time interaction for the static balance and maximum vertical jump height performance (p<.05) were also significant. The static balance training group showed a 33% improvement in static balance and 9% improvement in jump height performances. Based on the finding from this study, it appears that balance training is specific to task and therefore training programs should be designed to mimic the demands of the sport or activity

Urban physical food environments drive dietary behaviours in Ghana and Kenya: a Photovoice study

We identified factors in the physical food environment that influence dietary behaviours among low-income dwellers in three African cities (Nairobi, Accra, Ho). We used Photovoice with 142 males/females (≥13 years). In the neighbourhood environment, poor hygiene, environmental sanitation, food contamination and adulteration were key concerns. Economic access was perceived as a major barrier to accessing nutritionally safe and healthy foods. Home gardening supplemented household nutritional needs, particularly in Nairobi. Policies to enhance food safety in neighbourhood environments are required. Home gardening, food pricing policies and social protection schemes could reduce financial barriers to safe and healthy diets

Supplementary Information files for Urban physical food environments drive dietary behaviours in Ghana and Kenya: A photovoice study

Supplementary Information files for Urban physical food environments drive dietary behaviours in Ghana and Kenya: A photovoice studyWe identified factors in the physical food environment that influence dietary behaviours among low-income dwellers in three African cities (Nairobi, Accra, Ho). We used Photovoice with 142 males/females (≥13 years). In the neighbourhood environment, poor hygiene, environmental sanitation, food contamination and adulteration were key concerns. Economic access was perceived as a major barrier to accessing nutritionally safe and healthy foods. Home gardening supplemented household nutritional needs, particularly in Nairobi. Policies to enhance food safety in neighbourhood environments are required. Home gardening, food pricing policies and social protection schemes could reduce financial barriers to safe and healthy diets.<br