Date of Award
2022
Degree Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy in Health Sciences
Department
Nutrition and Food Sciences
First Advisor
Brietta M. Oaks
Abstract
In several studies conducted in high-income countries, low magnesium intake has been linked to an increased risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). However, very no studies have been conducted in Africa, where the prevalence of T2DM is increasing in many countries. Furthermore, few studies have investigated the risk of magnesium deficiency in women of reproductive age, a group where lower levels of dietary magnesium intake have been linked to gestational diabetes and pre-eclampsia during pregnancy. The purpose of this dissertation was to conduct a pilot cross-sectional study to investigate the dietary magnesium intakes of women of reproductive age in Ghana and the association between dietary magnesium intake and glycemic markers including fasting blood glucose and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c).
Manuscript 1 “Association Between Dietary Magnesium Intake and Glycemic Markers in Ghanaian Women of Reproductive Age: A Pilot Cross-Sectional Study” is a research article that sought to investigate the relationship between dietary magnesium intake and glycemic markers in Ghanaian women of reproductive age. The results did not show a significant association, but the finding necessitates further research with larger representative samples to substantiate the study findings.
Manuscript 2 “Dietary Magnesium Intake among Women of Reproductive Age in Ghana - A Comparison of Two Dietary Analysis Programs” is also a research article that aimed to assess the dietary magnesium intake in non-pregnant women of reproductive age in Ghana and to compare magnesium intakes using two dietary analysis programs, ESHA (Elizabeth Stewart Hands and Associates) and NDSR (Nutrient Data Software for Research). The results indicate that based on the calculations of both dietary analysis programs, the average magnesium intake in the study women were below recommended dietary allowances (RDA) of 320mg/day, representing 53% - 63% of the RDA. The average dietary magnesium intake calculated by the two dietary programs differed significantly.
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License.
Recommended Citation
Bentil, Helena, "DIETARY MAGNESIUM INTAKE AND RISK OF TYPE 2 DIABETES MELLITUS IN GHANAIAN WOMEN OF REPRODUCTIVE AGE" (2022). Open Access Dissertations. Paper 1355.
https://digitalcommons.uri.edu/oa_diss/1355