| Abstrakt: |
Various groups of factors play a role in the development of excessive body weight and obesity: genetic, environmental (nutrition, physical activity), pathological (metabolic and hormonal disturbances, alterations in body fat amount and composition as well as in the secretion of adipocytokines, impaired regulation by hypothalamic centers controlling appetite and satiety), psychological (eating disorders, consumption of food as a response to stress or depression) as well as other factors not yet clarified to date which are also likely to have a bearing. The aim of the study was to determine and analyze the risk factors responsible for the occurrence of excessive body weight in a representative population of high school pupils aged 16-19 in the town of Plovdiv. Materials and methods: An observational cross-section study was carried out on a randomized sample of 633 pupils (343 boys and 290 girls) aged 16-19 (Table 1). The study involved an interview and anthropometric evaluation of the pupils based on relevant clinical measurements, followed by recording of the body composition indices determined by a TANITA BC-420 bio-impedance analyzer. The categories of overweight and obesity were determined in relation to the body mass index (BMI) according to WHO criteria. An original questionnaire developed by the authors included a number of indices related to the social and economic status, family and health status, dietary regimen and physical activity of the study participants. Results: Factors correlating significantly with BMI in both sexes: family history for diabetes mellitus, obesity, arterial hypertension (in total and individually for each disease), body mass (kg and %), muscle mass (kg), muscle mass (%) (inverse correlation), water content (kg), water content (%) (inverse correlation), impedance (inverse correlation), metabolic age, basal metabolism, waist circumference (cm), hip circumference (cm), waist/hip ratio, arterial blood pressure - systolic and diastolic, pulse rate, intentional low calorie diet in the last 3 months and daily water consumption. Factors correlating significantly with BMI in boys only: age, weight at birth, family history for thyroid pathology, attending a specific high school, physical activity (frequency and duration combined) (inverse correlation), breakfast and alcohol consumption (inverse correlations). Factors correlating significantly with BMI in girls only: presence of a concomitant disease such as menstrual disturbances and hirsutism. Conclusion: The risk factors for overweight in adolescents in real life in our country must be analyzed in order to determine the possibilities of their impact and the prevention of obesity with the development of complications and the occurrence of associated diseases in adulthood. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
