Bio:

Mohammed Husein received his Ph.D. at McGill University, Canada in 2016. His thesis research focused on the evaluation of the effect of iodized salt exposure on pregnancy and birth outcomes and child development in the Amhara Region of Ethiopia. He also holds an MPhil. in dietetics and BSc. in nutrition and biochemistry at the University of Ghana, Legon. Dr. Husein’s research interests focus on maternal and child nutrition and how, throughout the lifespan, suboptimal nutritional status among women and children (under- and overweight, micronutrient deficiencies) affects and is affected by their cognitive development/mental health and morbidity. 

Project summary:

The Enhancing Child Nutrition through Animal Source Food Management (ENAM) study tested an entrepreneurial and nutritional education intervention with microcredit to increase consumption of animal source foods and improve the diet and nutritional status of children 2-5 years old in Ghana. However, the ENAM study did not test the effect of the intervention on mental development. The primary objective of this study is to select the most appropriate adolescent mental development tool, adapt, simplify, and evaluate it for use in local settings. The second objective is to conduct a long-term (11-12 y) follow-up of the children of the ENAM project and evaluate the effect of the project on their mental development and growth. A mental development testing tool will be recommended for the study age group (13 to 17 y) after a comprehensive review of current methods and tools used in assessing mental development.