Dietary behaviour among adults in Northern Ghana: a polytomous logistic regression model approach

  • K Opare-Asamoah Department of Biological Sciences, University for Development Studies, Tamale, Ghana
  • DE Kpewou Department of Nutritional Sciences, University for Development Studies, Tamale, Ghana
  • JX Sosu Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University for Development Studies, Tamale, Ghana
  • VE Degbey Department of Nutritional Sciences, University for Development Studies, Tamale, Ghana
  • EK Vicar Department of Clinical Microbiology, University for Development Studies, Tamale, Ghana
  • JT Dongdem Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University for Development Studies, Tamale, Ghana
  • SF Majeed Department of Biological Sciences, University for Development Studies, Tamale, Ghana
  • KF Antwi Department of Ear, Nose and Throat, University for Development Studies, Tamale, Ghana

Abstract

Objectives: This study determined the predictors of dietary behaviour among adults living in an urban and rural location in northern Ghana.
Design: A cross-sectional study.
Setting: An urban and rural settlement in the Northern Region of Ghana.
Outcome measures: Dietary behaviour levels and their predictors.
Subjects: Adults aged ≥ 18 residing in the Tamale Metropolis and the Tolon District of the Northern Region of Ghana.
Results: The median age (25th–75th percentile) of all the respondents was 31 (25–39) years, with 44.8% (358) of the respondents aged 20–30 years. There was no statistically significant difference in the respondents’ ages in the two study areas. The median body mass index (BMI) (25th–75th percentile) was 22.0 (20.4–24.0) kg/m2 and did not differ significantly (p-value = 0.23) across the two study areas. Most (74.8%; 598) of the respondents were of normal nutritional status, with half (51.6%) exhibiting good dietary behaviour. Being married (OR = 0.64, p = 0.04) reduces the odds of being at higher dietary behaviour levels. Conversely, being employed (OR = 1.83, p = 0.003) and aged 50–60 years (OR = 2.80, p = 0.05) increases the odds of being in the higher dietary behaviour categories according to the partially proportional odds model (PPOM). These relationships come with various marginal effects. The relationship between the place of residence of participants and dietary behaviour levels is bidirectional at different dietary levels.
Conclusions: This study revealed a complex relationship between dietary behaviour levels and their predictors. This relationship should be considered during interventional and further investigations into dietary behaviours.

Keywords: dietary behaviour, Ghana, polytomous logistic regression, Tamale Metropolis, Tolon District

Published
2025-06-19
How to Cite
Opare-Asamoah, K., Kpewou, D., Sosu, J., Degbey, V., Vicar, E., Dongdem, J., Majeed, S., & Antwi, K. (2025). Dietary behaviour among adults in Northern Ghana: a polytomous logistic regression model approach. South African Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 38(2), 64-72. Retrieved from https://www.sajcn.co.za/index.php/SAJCN/article/view/2573
Issue
Vol 38 No 2 (2025)
Section
Original Research

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