Body composition and nutritional status among adults in northern Serbia

Abstract

Introduction: Overweight and obesity are a well-known public health problem associated with chronical diseases such as heart disease, stroke and type 2 diabetes. Body composition and nutritional status monitoring are very important for planning preventive measures towards health promotion. Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate nutritional status and body composition among a sample of adults in Vojvodina, a northern region in Serbia. Method / Design: 287 female and 105 male adults, aged between 18 to 65 years participated in the study. Nutritional status was defined using body mass index (BMI), according to World Health Organization (WHO) criteria. Body composition was measured by InBody 720 body analyzer device, using the bioelectrical impedance method. Results: A prevalence of overweight of 31,6% and of obesity by 58,6% were found. Additionally, 16,9% of subjects met criteria for class 2 obesity and 9,4% met criteria for extreme obesity. Women showed higher percentage of overweight (33,4%) than men (26,7%) but levels of obesity were higher in men (69,5%) than in women (54,7%). Mean of % body fat within BMI groups: in normal BMI (22,57%), overweight (32,74%) and obese (43,86%). The average values of the fitness score and % skeletal muscle mass decrease with increasing age. Conclusions: High prevalence of overweight and obesity requires public health action. Healthy lifestyle, balanced diet with low caloric intake and increased physical activity must be promoted within prevention strategy and control of obesity in adults in northern Serbia.