Risk Factors and Prevalence of Abdominal Obesity among Upper-Secondary Students

Ewa Błaszczyk-Bębenek, Beata Piórecka, Małgorzata Płonka, Izabela Chmiel, Paweł Jagielski, Katarzyna Tuleja and Małgorzata Schlegel-Zawadzka
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Ewa Błaszczyk-Bębenek: Human Nutrition Department, Institute of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Grzegórzecka 20, 31-531 Krakow, Poland
Beata Piórecka: Human Nutrition Department, Institute of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Grzegórzecka 20, 31-531 Krakow, Poland
Małgorzata Płonka: Department of Anatomy, University of Physical Education in Krakow, al. Jana Pawła II 78, 31-571 Krakow, Poland
Izabela Chmiel: Department of Medical and Environmental Nursing, Institute of Nursing and Midwifery, Faculty of Health Sciences, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Michałowskiego 12, 31-126 Krakow, Poland
Paweł Jagielski: Human Nutrition Department, Institute of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Grzegórzecka 20, 31-531 Krakow, Poland
Katarzyna Tuleja: Human Nutrition Department, Institute of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Grzegórzecka 20, 31-531 Krakow, Poland
Małgorzata Schlegel-Zawadzka: Human Nutrition Department, Institute of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Grzegórzecka 20, 31-531 Krakow, Poland

IJERPH, 2019, vol. 16, issue 10, 1-12

Abstract: Inadequate eating habits, as well as a low level of physical activity, influence adipose tissue deposition. The aim of the study was to assess the prevalence of central obesity in upper-secondary students and to determine the factors related to its occurrence. The survey included 309 participants, aged 16 to 18 years from Krakow (Poland). Anthropometric measurements were taken during the periodic assessment of students’ health status. An anonymous questionnaire was used to assess the nutritional and non-nutritional risk factors of participants. According to different methods of measurement, abdominal obesity (AO) was observed in 15.5% (WC—waist circumference), 10.7% (WHtR—waist to height ratio) or 21.7% (WHR—waist to hip ratio) participants. Abdominal obesity (WC) was significantly associated with family history of excess body weight and higher economic status of the family. The risk of AO (WC) was significantly lower among adolescents who declared higher physical activity. Boys who eat first breakfasts have lower AO risk according to WHtR interpretation. Abdominal obesity in gender group was related to the self-esteem of one’s own appearance according to WHtR and WC. Abdominal obesity was associated with the family environment and modifiable lifestyle factors and was dependent on gender.

Keywords: waist circumference; abdominal obesity; WHtR; WHR; adolescence (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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