(P12-05-26) Dysglycemia and Micronutrient Adequacy Among Farming Households in Ghana: A Cross-Sectional Study

Objectives: Rural farming households may experience micronutrient inadequacies alongside rising cardiometabolic risk, creating a double burden that complicates prevention. We estimated dysglycemia prevalence and tested associations between dietary intake, micronutrient adequacy, and HbA1c among adults in farming households in Ghana.

Methods: In a cross-sectional study, 125 adults from 60 households completed duplicate 24-hour recalls and a 12-month food frequency questionnaire. Nutrient intakes were compared with age- and sex-specific RDAs to estimate inadequacy prevalence, and dietary diversity and pattern metrics were derived from reported intake. HbA1c was measured using a point-of-care analyzer and categorized as normal ( < 5.7%), prediabetes (5.7 to 6.4%), or diabetes (≥6.5%). Associations between HbA1c and dietary variables were evaluated using correlation and contingency analyses (p < 0.05).

Results: Overall, 45.6% of participants exhibited dysglycemia (34.4% prediabetes; 11.2% diabetes). Micronutrient inadequacies were widespread, including vitamin E (93%), vitamin B12 (70%), folate (69%), zinc (78%), magnesium (61%), iron (59%), and dietary fiber (71%). No significant associations were observed between HbA1c and nutrient intake, dietary diversity, or derived dietary patterns (all p >0.05). These null findings may reflect the mismatch between short-term intake measures and HbA1c, which captures longer-term glycemia, as well as the influence of non-dietary factors.

Conclusions: Dysglycemia and micronutrient inadequacy co-occurred in farming households, highlighting a need for integrated strategies that address diet quality and metabolic risk in rural communities. Future work should evaluate usual intake, physical activity, adiposity, and other lifestyle exposures and test practical interventions that increase nutrient-dense foods while supporting glycemic control.

Funding Sources: N/A