Health experts in Ghana advise on obesity management and affordable nutrition

Health experts in Ghana are emphasizing the importance of treating obesity as a complex medical condition rather than a cosmetic issue. Medical professionals from Vitality Health 360, including Dr. Rex Kwame Bonsu and nurse Ozwella Yeboah, noted that obesity involves dysfunctional fat tissue that can lead to serious non-communicable diseases such as hypertension, type 2 diabetes, and various cancers. They cautioned that while Body Mass Index (BMI) is a common screening tool, it does not account for variables like muscle mass, bone density, and age. Experts also warned against using weight-loss injections without professional medical supervision due to hormonal and metabolic complexities.

To support healthy weight management, dietitian Fredericka Serwaa Doku of MediGrace Medical Centre suggests that maintaining a balanced diet does not require high costs. She recommends utilizing affordable local Ghanaian foods to ensure meals include a proper mix of carbohydrates, proteins, fats, fruits, vegetables, and pulses. Doku noted that many local diets are overly reliant on carbohydrates and lack sufficient fiber. She suggested enhancing common meals like waakye with vegetables and eggs, and emphasized the importance of eating breakfast, consuming fiber, and eating dinner earlier to improve nutritional outcomes.