Fast Foods Heighten Risks of Non-Communicable Diseases

The Ghana Health Service (GHS) has highlighted the consumption of fast foods as a major contributor to the rising incidence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in the country.

The GHS reports that shifting lifestyles among Ghanaians have led to increased fast food consumption, with this trend also affecting younger generations.

At the 47th Annual General & Scientific Meeting of the Ghana Chapter of the West African College of Physicians, Dr. Afua Commey, Deputy Programme Manager for the Non-Communicable Diseases Control Programme at GHS, emphasized the need to address this issue as Ghana faces a surge in NCD risk factors.

“In terms of NCD risk factors, we seem to be determined to gallop way ahead of our neighbouring countries. And we do have an escalation of all NCD factors…The risk factors are everywhere. As Ghanaians, we seem to be embracing more fast foods, probably related to the lifestyle we’re adopting.

“As we embrace these lifestyles, we’re also attaching some form of reward system for our children, in that if they do well in school, we’re promising to take them to these fast food places. Unfortunately, these habits are reflected in our numbers. When you look at the proportion of hypertensive being diagnosed, it’s just about 50% of the estimated number,” she said.

Vice President for the Ghana Chapter of the West African College of Physicians, Dr Sammy Ohene, also tasked individuals to prioritise mental health, noting it tops the list of disorders under non-communicable diseases.