The Ghana Health Service (GHS) has expressed growing concern about the increasing rates of overweight and obesity among children across the country, warning of serious health consequences if urgent action is not taken.
Joseph Owusu Asante, a nutritionist with the Bono Regional Health Directorate’s Nutrition Unit, attributed the surge in childhood obesity to over-nutrition and poor dietary habits. Speaking during a stakeholder engagement event in Sunyani as part of African Vaccination Week (AVW) and Child Health Promotion Week (CHPW), he stressed the need for families to take more responsibility for their children’s nutrition and lifestyle choices.
“The situation is alarming,” Mr. Asante said. “If we do not act now, these children could face life-threatening health issues such as diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease by their forties.”
He encouraged parents to limit their children’s intake of processed and junk foods, and instead promote balanced meals and physical activity. Allowing children to engage in simple household chores—like sweeping, cooking, or washing clothes—and regular play, he said, can significantly improve their physical wellbeing.
The stakeholder meeting, organised by the Bono Regional Directorate of Health, brought together government agencies, development partners, health workers, community leaders, and the media to raise awareness on immunisation, child health, and nutrition.
Highlighting the link between nutrition and long-term health, Mr. Asante noted that proper dietary habits from a young age are essential for children’s success and survival. He also shared encouraging breastfeeding data from the region: continued breastfeeding at one year increased from 93.3% in 2022 to 95.1% in 2024; exclusive breastfeeding at three months rose from 85.3% to 90.5%; and early initiation of breastfeeding reached 95.6% in 2024, up from 91.7% in 2022.
However, he raised concerns over Vitamin A supplementation. While coverage for children aged 6–11 months remains high, often exceeding 90%, it drops to below 50% among children aged 12–59 months. Mr. Asante attributed this to lower attendance at Child Welfare Clinics as many children are enrolled in school early. He underscored the critical role of Vitamin A in preventing infections, boosting immunity, and promoting healthy growth and vision.
Dr. Prince Quarshie, Deputy Director of Public Health at the Bono Regional Health Directorate, called on all stakeholders to continue supporting government-led health programmes aimed at improving child health outcomes across the region.
African Vaccination Week (AVW), initiated by the World Health Organization in 2010, runs annually from April 24–30 to highlight the importance of immunisation. Ghana’s Child Health Promotion Week (CHPW), held from May 5–9, focuses on enhancing child survival through education on nutrition, immunisation, and preventive healthcare for children under five.
