Eating Habits and Body-weights of Students of the University of Belgrade, Serbia: A Cross-sectional Study

Authors

  • Tatjana Gazibara Institute of Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Visegradska 26A, Belgrade 11000
  • Darija B Kisic Tepavcevic Institute of Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Visegradska 26A, Belgrade 11000
  • Aleksandra Popovic Faculty of Sport and Physical Education, University of Belgrade, Blagoja Parovica 156, Belgrade 11000
  • Tatjana Pekmezovic Institute of Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Visegradska 26A, Belgrade 11000

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3329/jhpn.v31i3.16824

Keywords:

Nutritional status, Prevalence, Students, Serbia

Abstract

The purpose of this survey was to quantify the prevalence of overweight and obesity among a sample of students in Belgrade University, Serbia and to describe their main eating habits. A total of 1,624 questionnaire responses were analyzed (response rate 97.3%). The students were recruited during mandatory annual check-ups in April-June 2009. All subjects completed the questionnaire; height (in cm) and weight (in km) were measured by two physicians. Results were assessed statistically. Almost every fourth male student was overweight. Strikingly, 15% of female students were underweight. Highly-significant difference was found between average body mass index (BMI) of male and female students (F=317.8, p=0.001). Students BMI did not correlate with average family income or with the frequency of taking breakfast (p=-0.064, p=0.152 for males and ?=0.034, p=0.282 for females respectively). There is a growing demand for global health strategies which would encourage healthy body-image and figure; thus, these initiatives should mobilize the society on a national and international level.

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jhpn.v31i3.16824

J HEALTH POPUL NUTR 2013 Sep; 31(3): 330-333

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Published

2013-11-03

How to Cite

Gazibara, T., Tepavcevic, D. B. K., Popovic, A., & Pekmezovic, T. (2013). Eating Habits and Body-weights of Students of the University of Belgrade, Serbia: A Cross-sectional Study. Journal of Health, Population and Nutrition, 31(3), 330–333. https://doi.org/10.3329/jhpn.v31i3.16824

Issue

Section

Original Papers