Assessing the nutritional knowledge and practice of exercisers on Aburi Ridge in the Eastern Region of Ghana

Abstract

Nutrition is a significant element of any physical workout schedule. A person with satisfactory information on nourishment has a superior potential for success in distinguishing between nutritional facts from nutrition fads. Reliable information on nutrition has been believed to assume a significant function in advancing more beneficial eating practices, and thus lead to the support of fitting body weight. Among numerous exercisers in Ghana, physical activities are climax with devouring substantial amount of fatty meats accompanied with carbohydrate foods like "fufu, ɛmotuo or banku” and the drinking of alcoholic beverages. One contemplates whether they even have a thought on nutrition and determination of diet. . It is against this basis that the study did an intense research into the nutritional knowledge and practices of Exercisers on Aburi Ridge, in the Eastern region of Ghana. The primary research instruments used to gather information for the study were questionnaire, observation and interview. The group of individuals in the study were all exercisers on the Aburi Ridge, in the Eastern Region of Ghana. Results from the study indicates a greater percentage of the respondents (62%) were male while the remaining 38% were female. Respondents between the ages of 21 to 30 recorded 37.5%. Just 2.5% of the respondents were above 60years. Some respondents agreed (4.1+1.14) they exercise to keep stomach trimmed. The respondents also agreed (4.41+0.91) that they exercise to maintain current weight. Others agreed (4.18+0.90) they exercise to meet friends and to stay healthy (4.49+0.93). They also agreed (4.55+0.92) that they exercise to ease stress. The respondents agreed (4.67+0.47) to exercise when they see friends work out. About 49.1% of the respondents had knowledge in the nutrition related questions. Results from the study shows that 220 (91%) of the respondents always eat lunch. However, 9% of the respondents failed to eat lunch. About 33% of the respondents took banku and hot pepper after exercise. The respondents agreed (1.65+0.72) that there was an improvement in cardio respiratory wellness levels, decrease in mortality, build and maintain bones and decrease in diabetes. Improvement in memory and thinking were similarly referred to as impacts of diet on exercise. About 55% of the respondents knew that eggs and legumes are examples of protein sources other than meat.