Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42839874›Full record

ArticleJournal of human nutrition and dietetics : the official journal of the British Dietetic Association2026

Strengthening School-Based Food and Nutrition Education in Ghana: Gaps, Opportunities, and a Roadmap for Action.

Jevaise Aballo, Porbilla Ofosu-Apea, Catherine Adu-Asare, Olivia Adzoa Mawunyo Timpo, Hikmatu Abdulai, Cristina Alvarez Sanchez, Melissa Vargas, Annette Imohe, Cynthia Obbu, Gifty Ampah and 7 more

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Journal of human nutrition and dietetics : the official journal of the British Dietetic Association, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

17 authors.

Jevaise AballoUnited Nations Children's Fund, Ghana.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5811-6837
Porbilla Ofosu-ApeaUnited Nations Children's Fund, Ghana.
Catherine Adu-AsareGhana Health Service, Ghana.
Olivia Adzoa Mawunyo TimpoGhana Health Service, Ghana.
Hikmatu AbdulaiGhana Health Service, Ghana.
Cristina Alvarez SanchezChild Nutrition and Development, Programme Group, United Nations Children's Fund, New York, USA.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5644-6042
Melissa VargasFood and Nutrition Division, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Rome, Italy.
Annette ImoheUnited Nations Children's Fund, Ghana.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3925-8423
Cynthia ObbuGhana Health Service, Ghana.
Gifty AmpahGhana Health Service, Ghana.
Josephine AsanteGhana Health Service, Ghana.
Mutala AbdulaiGhana Health Service, Ghana.
Veronica QuarteyGhana Health Service, Ghana.
Theresa Oppong MensahGhana Education Service, Ghana.
Patrick BanafoGhana Education Service, Ghana.
Bright Yammaha AmooreDepartment of Community Health and Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine UDS, Northern Region, Ghana.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4873-9176
Victor MogreDepartment of Health Professions Education and Innovative Learning, School of Medicine UDS, Northern Region, Ghana.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0230-5783

Funding

United Nations Children's Fund
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundMalnutrition among school-age children and adolescents in Ghana is driven by poor diet quality and weakly regulated school food environments (SFEs). School-based Food and Nutrition Education (SFNE) is a key strategy, but its effectiveness depends on coordinated capacity across sectors. This study assessed the enabling factors, and priority actions for institutionalising SFNE.

methodsThe FAO SFNE capacity needs assessment tool was used, with a multi-phase qualitative study design. Document review and stakeholder mapping were conducted, followed by a two-day consultative workshop. Capacities were assessed across system levels and prioritised through ranking.

resultsGhana has supportive SNFE policies; however, implementation is fragmented, lacks unified legal framework, and constrained by inadequate data. Integration into curricula, teacher training, and SFEs is weak, with reliance on short-term funding. Priority actions included strengthening coordination, developing standards; improving data systems, aligning curricula, enhancing SFEs, and sustainable financing. IMPLICATION FOR SCHOOL HEALTH POLICY, PRACTICE, AND EQUITY: Institutionalising SFNE will ensure learners receive high-quality equitable nutrition education and access to supportive school food environment.

conclusionGhana is well-positioned to institutionalise SFNE and may serve as a model for low- and middle-income countries.

Indexed as

Food ServicesHealth EducationSchool Health ServicesAdolescentChildCurriculumGhanaHumansMalnutritionNeeds AssessmentNutrition PolicySchoolsadolescentscapacity needs assessmentGhanaschool‐age childrenSFESFNE

Identifiers

PMID42839874
PMCPMC13643493

What Socratic holds

Textmetadata
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.