Dr. Charles Aprey has raised concerns about the growing consumption of unhealthy foods in Ghana and its impact on disease risk.
Speaking on Orange Sunrise, the senior lecturer at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) and a nutritionist at the Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, explained that research consistently shows that disposable income significantly influences food choices. According to him, what people earn often determines what ends up on their plates.
Dr. Charles Aprey noted that in many developed countries, higher income levels are linked to healthier eating habits, including increased consumption of fruits and vegetables. However, the situation appears different in most developing countries, including Ghana.
He revealed that as incomes rise, many people tend to shift toward convenience options rather than balanced diets. These convenience meals, commonly referred to as fast foods or ready-to-eat meals, require little preparation and are easily accessible. Unfortunately, many of these options fall into the category of unhealthy foods.
According to Dr. Charles Aprey, while one would expect improved income levels to encourage healthier lifestyles, the opposite is often observed. As people earn more, they sometimes consume more unhealthy foods instead of investing in nutritious alternatives.
The nutritionist also challenged the long-held belief that unhealthy eating is limited to affluent groups. Dr. Charles Aprey explained that even individuals in lower-income brackets now have access to unhealthy foods. Small kiosks in both urban and rural communities stock processed and ready-made products sourced from larger commercial centres, making unhealthy foods widely available across the country.
Dr. Charles Aprey further pointed out that unhealthy foods are often cheaper and more attractive to consumers, which increases their demand. He stressed that price plays a major role in influencing dietary decisions.
To address the growing reliance on unhealthy foods, Dr. Charles Aprey recommended policy interventions. He suggested that governments can make healthier options more affordable by introducing subsidies and incentives for fruits, vegetables, and other nutritious foods. At the same time, authorities can discourage the consumption of unhealthy foods by imposing taxes and regulatory measures.
He explained that narrowing the price gap between healthy and unhealthy foods could encourage more people to choose balanced diets, ultimately reducing the risk of communicable and diet-related diseases.
