The Magnitude of Hidden Hunger and Cognitive Deficits among Children Living in Orphanages in Kumasi, Ghana

• Published in: Advances in Public Health Vol. 2022; pp. 1 - 8
• Main Authors: Tandoh, Marina, Asamoah, Mary
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hindawi 28.09.2022; Wiley
• ISSN: 2356-6868; 2314-7784
• DOI: 10.1155/2022/9684785

This study assessed the magnitude of hidden hunger (micronutrient deficiencies) and cognitive deficits of 130 school-aged children (6–13 years old) living in three selected orphanages in Kumasi, Ghana. Sociodemographic data assessment, anthropometric assessment (BMI for age and height for age), dietary assessment (3-day repeated 24-hour dietary recall), urinary iodine level assessment, and cognitive performance assessment (Raven’s Coloured Progressive Matrices) were performed. Boys formed 50.8% of the study population, while girls formed 49.2%. The median age of participants was 10.50 years. About 12.3%, 7%, and 10.0% of participants were stunted, thin, and overweight/obese, respectively. The prevalence of mild iodine deficiency (i.e., 50–99 μg/L) was 16.2%. Iodine deficiency was significantly higher (23.6%) in participants who had lived for at least 7 years in the orphanage compared to those who had lived less than 7 years (10.7%) (p=0.047). About 17% of the participants performed poorly (<50%) on the cognition test. Mean cognition test scores were significantly different among the orphanages (p=0.027). The majority of participants, 89.2%, 54.6%, 76.9%, and 77.7%, had adequate intake of iron, zinc, vitamin C, and folate, respectively, whereas intake of vitamins A and B12 was inadequate for the majority of participants (90.8% and 50.8%, respectively). There was no significant correlation between micronutrient intake and cognitive performance. However, mean cognition test scores were significantly different between participants with adequate and inadequate iron and vitamin A intake (p=0.007 and p<0.001, respectively). The findings of this study warrant a closer look at nutritional intakes in orphanages to improve hidden hunger and cognitive performance.