Association between Obesity and Socioeconomic Factors in Macedonian Children and Adolescents

Abstract

The increasing prevalence of overweightness and obesity is becoming increasingly alarming and is due to a sedentary lifestyle combined with a high-calorific intake. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of overweightness and obesity in children and youth from the Central and Eastern part of the Republic of Macedonia and to determine how residential and socioeconomic status affects it. The survey was conducted on a sample of 8,380 adolescent Macedonian children aged between 7 and 14 years of age. The sample is divided into eight age groups, and each age group was divided into two groups, based on gender. The standard procedure is measured body weight and height, and from these measurements one may determine the body mass index. The results were statistically processed with SPSS 20.0 for WINDOWS (c2 test and logistic regression multinominalna their analysis). The prevalence of overweightness in the investigated sample, based upon body mass index in boys is from 20.40 27.40% and females from 20.10 25.40% depending, on age. Weight is determined at 7.50 to 16.40% boys and 6.50 to 15.40% girls. The overall sampled students found that 7.40% are malnourished, 58.40% are normally nourished, 10.23% are over nourished and 10.11% are obese. Boys tend to be of greater weight compared to girls (12.3% boys and 10.0% girls). The survey results indicate a significant positive relationship between socioeconomic status and overweightness and obesity. Students who come from higher socioeconomic status have a higher BMI than students who come from lower socioeconomic status. Respondents living in urban areas have a 40% greater likelihood of being overweight and obese than students who live in rural areas. The high prevalence of overweightness and obesity requires urgent public health action. A healthy lifestyle, a balanced diet with low calorific intake and increased physical activity must be promoted within the strategy for prevention and control of obesity in children and adolescents in Macedonia.