Ghana

1. Laar, A., Barnes, A., Aryeetey, R., Tandoh, A., Bash, K., Mensah, K., Zotor, F., Vandevijvere, S.,
   Holdsworth, M. (2020) Implementation of healthy food environment policies to prevent
   nutrition-related non-communicable diseases in Ghana: National experts’ assessment of
   government action. Food Policy, 93, 101907. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodpol.2020.101907

2. Amevinya, G.S., Quarpong, W. and Laar, A., 2020. Commercial food advertising on the campus of Ghana’s largest University. World Nutrition, 11(2), pp.57-73.

3. Tsrah, P., Quarpong, W. and Laar, A., 2020. Healthiness of foods on promotional flyers of fast-food outlets located within Accra-based shopping malls. World Nutrition, 11(3), pp.51-61.

4. Laar A, Kelly B, Holdsworth M, Quarpong W, Aryeetey R, Amevinya G, Tandoh A, Agyemang C, Zotor F, Laar ME: Providing Measurement, Evaluation, Accountability, and Leadership Support for NCDs Prevention in Ghana: Adapting the INFORMAS Approach. 2020. Preprint available here https://assets.researchsquare.com/files/rs-99032/v1/e4aaf60e-116a-42fe-932b-d27ed1852cb2.pdf

Reports:

1. Laar, A., Tandoh, A., Barnes, A., Bash, K., Aryeetey, R., Mensah, K., Vandevijvere, S.,Holdsworth, M. (2019). Benchmarking Ghana’s policies for creating healthy food environments. The Ghana Healthy Food Environment Policy Index (Food-EPI) Report. Accra, Ghana. Available at http://dx.doi.org/10.13140/RG.2.2.31120.46081

2. Laar, A., Barnes, A., Tandoh, A., Bash, K., Aryeety, R., Mensah, K., Zotor, F., Vandevijvere, S.,Holdsworth, M. (2018). Benchmarking Ghana’s Food Environment Policies against international examples and progress within development cycle: The Ghana Healthy Food Environment Policy Index (Food-EPI) Evidence Paper.

 Conference Presentations:

1. Laar A., Barnes A, Aryeetey R, Tandoh A, Bash K, Mensah K, Zotor FB, Vandevijvere S, Holdsworth M. Implementation of healthy food environment policies in Ghana: Gaps and priorities to prevent nutrition-related non-communicable diseases. Presented at 4th Annual Agriculture, Nutrition and Health (ANH) Academy Week. 24-28 June 2019. Hyderabad, India

2. Laar A, Amevinya GS, Kumi IA, Tsrah P, Konlan M, Holdsworth M. Providing measurement, evaluation, accountability, and leadership support (MEALS) for NCDs prevention: Lessons from Ghana. European and International Congress on Obesity. ECO-ICO 2020 – –Online September 2020

3. Gideon S. Amevinya, Wilhemina Quarpong, Akua Tandoh, Richmond Aryeetey, Stefanie Vandevijvere, Charles Agyemang, Michelle Holdsworth, Francis Zotor, Matilda E. Laar, Kobby Mensah, Phyllis Addo, Dennis Laryea, Gershim Asiki, Daniel Sellen, Bridget Kelly, Amos Laar. Heavy marketing of energy-dense nutrient-poor foods around public basic schools in Greater Accra region, Ghana. Paper will be presented at the 6th Annual Agriculture, Nutrition and Health Academy Conference (ANH2021). June 21-25 2021; 28 June – 2 July 2021

4. Akosua Pokua Adjei, Gideon Amevinya, Wilhemina Quarpong, Akua Tandoh, Richmond Aryeetey, Michelle Holdsworth, Charles Agyemang, Francis Zotor, Matilda E. Laar, Kobby Mensah, Phyllis Addo, Dennis Laryea, Gershim Asiki, Daniel Sellen, Stefanie Vandevijvere, Amos Laar. How healthy are our supermarkets? Availability of healthy and unhealthy, ultra-processed foods in supermarkets of selected districts of Greater Accra region, Ghana. Paper will be presented at the 6^th Annual Agriculture, Nutrition and Health Academy Conference (ANH2021). June 21-25 2021; 28 June – 2 July 2021

5. Laar, A. “Improving nutrition, unlocking potential, and accelerating change in Africa”: The role of measurement, evaluation, accountability, and leadership support (MEALS. Invited Plenary Speaker: The International Congress of Dietetics (ICD). 1-3 September 2021 in Cape Town South Africa

Related Conference Presentations (Graduate students):

1. Tsrah, P, Laar, AK (2020). What is on sale? Healthiness of foods on promotional-flyers of Accra-Based Supermarkets. World Public Health Nutrition Congress 2020; 31 March to  2 April 2020; Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre, Australia.

2. Konlan, M. B. Laar, AK  (2020). Nutrition standards and nature of foods sold at University of Ghana Canteens. World Public Health Nutrition Congress 2020; 31 March to  2 April 2020; Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre, Australia.

3. Konlan, M. Y, Laar, AK (2020). Assessment of the Food Retail Environment in the Tamale Metropolis, Ghana. World Public Health Nutrition Congress 2020; 31 March to  2 April 2020; Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre, Australia.

4. Amevinya, G.S. Laar, AK (2020).  Commercial Food Advertising at the University of Ghana, Legon Campus. World Public Health Nutrition Congress 2020; 31 March to  2 April 2020; Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre, Australia.

5. Kumi, I. and Laar, AK (2020). Healthiness of Foods and Beverages Advertised on Ghanaian Television Programmes Targeting Children. World Public Health Nutrition Congress 2020; 31 March to  2 April 2020; Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre, Australia.

The Africa Food Environment Research Network (FERN) and 1^st Meeting

The Measurement, Evaluation, Accountability and Leadership Support for NCDs Prevention Project (MEALS4NCDs) initiated the Africa Food Environment Research Network (FERN) to serve as a regional platform to build capacities and foster collaboration among researchers towards healthier FE in the African sub-region. The first FERN Meeting (FERN2020) which was held November 3rd – 5th 2020 focused on connecting researchers in the African sub-region and Global North whose work relate directly or indirectly to improving food environments in LMICs. The meeting also aimed to build capacity on two approaches developed by INFORMAS – Healthy Food Environment Policy Index (Food-EPI) and Food Prices Modules.  Dr. Stefanie Vandevijvere, INFORMAS Food EPI Module Leader and MEALS4NCDs project Co-Investigator led the first capacity building session on the Food-EPI Module. The second capacity building session, delivered by Professor Amanda Lee, INFORMAS Food Price Module Leader and a Professor of Public Health Policy at the University of Queensland, focused on adapting the INFORMAS Food Price module to the African setting. Details are available here: https://www.meals4ncds.org/en/launch-of-the-1st-africa-food-environment-research-network-fern-nov-3-2020/

Additional Publications

• • The Food-EPI Module was supported by funds from the ‘Dietary transitions in Ghana’ project. The project was in turn funded by a grant from the Drivers of Food Choice Competitive Grants Programme [Grant # OPP1110043], which is funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and managed by the University of South Carolina Arnold School of Public Health, USA.
  • Implementation of the Food Promotion and Food Provision Modules is supported by the International Development Research Centre, Canada (IDRC) as part of the “Measuring the Healthiness of Ghanaian Children’s Food Environments to Prevent Obesity and Non-Communicable Diseases” – MEALS4NCDs Prevention Project (Grant # 108983).
• The research in Kenya is part of the TACLED project: Transitions in African Cities Leveraging Evidence for Diet-related NCDs funded by a GCRF-MRC led Foundation Award.