Measuring the healthiness of Ghanaian children’s food environments to prevent obesity and Non-Communicable Diseases

Like many countries in Africa, Ghana is experiencing an increase in obesity and nutrition-related non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Current statistics for Ghana indicate that annually, NCDs account for about 43% of all deaths. It has long been recognized that the physical and social environments – in which we live, work, and eat are critical determinants of health. More recently, there has been a greater focus on the food environment (FE) as a key determinant of health. We do know that unhealthy food environment drives unhealthy diets; unhealthy diet is one of four main risk factors for NCDs.  Code-named "MEALS4NCDs Project", this project will provide Measurement Evaluation, Accountability and Leadership Support (MEALS) for NCDs prevention in Ghana and beyond.  Currently, the project is focused on measuring and supporting public sector actions that create healthy food marketing and food provisioning environments for children and adolescents in Ghana, with the aim to prevent obesity nutrition-related NCDs.