engleski

The Spread of the Overweight and Obesity in Croatia

Obesity and overweight represent complex conditions affecting all ages, both sexes and various socioeconomic groups. Overweighed adults are at an increased risk of developing a variety of chronic diseases including diabetes, hypertension, osteoarthritis, coronary heart disease, sleep apnea, hyperlipidaemia, stroke, certain forms of cancer and overall mortality. Overweight and obesity have reached epidemic proportions worldwide and become the main public health problem. The aim of the investigation was to determine the prevalence of the overweight and obesity in sample of 12 Croatian localities included both coastal and continental counties. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated according to the classification of World Health Organization (the weight in kilograms divided by the square of the height in meters). A BMI of 25 or above is generally considered overweight (grade I) while a BMI of 30 or greater (grade II, III) is generally considered obese. 5.769 adults, both sexes, aged between 18-65 years, formed the sample. The prevalence of obesity and overweight rises with age, higher in males than in females sample. As much as 18.13% of population is obese (grade II, III), 21% males and 15% female, total (N= 1046). Almost half of the males are overweight (grade I) 48% (N=1.375), and 34.9% (N=1.018) of females. Obesity grades I+II+III have 69% males and 49.9% females. The highest prevalence of obesity was observed in Zagreb county (males 26% and females 18.6%), while the lowest prevalence recorded in males (15.5%) of Rijeka county, and females (10.6%) Split county. On the basis of high prevalence of overweight and obesity in Croatia, there is urgent necessity to improve levels of knowledge and skills in understanding obesity by increasing public awareness of diet and physical activity. The health care services and government facilities need to implement comprehensive national strategy for action on obesity to improve prevention and management.

obesity; Croatia

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