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Srpski arhiv za celokupno lekarstvo 2017 Volume 145, Issue 1-2, Pages: 20-25
https://doi.org/10.2298/SARH151117003J
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Prevalence of and contributing factors to overweight and obesity among the schoolchildren of Podgorica, Montenegro

Jakšić Marina (Clinical Center of Montenegro, Center for Laboratory Diagnostics, Podgorica, Montenegro)
Martinović Milica (Medical Faculty, Department of Pathophysiology and Laboratory Medicine, Podgorica, Montenegro)
Belojević Goran ORCID iD icon (School of Medicine, Institute of Hygiene and Medical Ecology, Belgrade)
Kavarić Nebojša (Public Health Center, Podgorica, Montenegro)
Ašanin Bogdan (University of Montenegro, Medical Faculty, Neurosurgery Clinic Podgorica, Montenegro)
Samardžić Mira (Institute for Children’s Diseases, Clinical Centre of Montenegro, Podgorica, Montenegro)
Pantović Snežana (University of Montenegro, Medical Faculty, Department of Biochemistry, Podgorica, Montenegro)
Boljević Jelena (Clinical Center of Montenegro, Center for Laboratory Diagnostics, Podgorica, Montenegro)

Introduction/Objective. Childhood obesity is an emerging public health problem. The national prevalence of child overweight/obesity in Montenegro has increased by one third in the last decade. As the overwhelming majority of Montenegrin population is urban, investigation of obesity and correlates among urban children is of special public health interest. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of and contributing factors to obesity among schoolchildren of Podgorica. Method. The sample included 1,134 schoolchildren (49.8% boys) aged 7–12 years, from 10 elementary schools in Podgorica. We measured children’s body mass, body height, and waist circumference to calculate body mass index (BMI) and waist-to-height ratio. The research instrument was a closed type of the original questionnaire. Nutritional status was assessed according to the criteria recommended by the American Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, World Health Organization and International Obesity Task Force. Results. Among the investigated children there were 21.2% and 6% overweight and obese children, respectively. Obesity was more frequent among boys (7.6%) compared to girls (4.4%). In a multiple regression, childhood obesity was positively related to the following: male gender, younger age, lower number of siblings, parental obesity, and low physical activity. Conclusion. One out of five urban Montenegrin schoolchildren is overweight/obese, with obesity being twice as frequent among boys compared to girls. A program against obesity among urban Montenegrin children should focus on the revealed contributing factors.

Keywords: children, overweight, obesity, body mass index