ArticleBMC public health2026
Nutritional status and mental health burden among adults living with disabilities in urban Ghana: a cross-sectional study.
Article in BMC public health, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
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Abstract
backgroundAdults living with disabilities experience disproportionate health challenges, including higher rates of malnutrition, poverty, and limited healthcare access. However, evidence on their nutritional and mental health status in low- and middle-income countries remains limited. This study assessed the burden of malnutrition, depression, and anxiety among adults living with disabilities in the Accra Metropolis, Ghana's capital.
methodsA community-based cross-sectional study was conducted between May and July 2024 among 350 adults with physical, visual, hearing, or intellectual disabilities recruited using stratified convenience sampling. The sample deliberately exceeded the calculated minimum (n = 104) to improve precision and representation. Nutritional status was assessed using anthropometric measurements following WHO protocols. Dietary intake was evaluated using two non-consecutive 24-hour recalls (multiple-pass method) and a food frequency questionnaire. Depression and anxiety symptoms were assessed using the validated screening tools - the PHQ-9 and GAD-7. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize participant characteristics and outcome measures.
resultsA double burden of malnutrition was observed, with 28.9% (n = 101) underweight and 31.4% (n = 110) overweight or obese. Moderate-to-severe depressive symptoms were present in 22.9% of participants, and 55.4% reported moderate-to-severe anxiety. No statistically significant associations were observed between selected micronutrient intakes and anxiety or depression symptom scores.
conclusionsAdults living with disabilities in urban Ghana experience a substantial double burden of malnutrition, reflecting a double burden of both undernutrition (28.9%) and overnutrition (31.4%), with nearly a quarter experiencing moderate-to-severe depression (22.9%) and over half reporting anxiety (55.4%). These findings underscore the need for disability-inclusive public-health interventions that integrate nutrition and mental health services within urban health systems.
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