Cross-sectional Correlation among Physical Activity, Sedentary Behaviour and Nutrition of Macedonian School-aged Children and Adolescents

Our cross-section study aimed to estimate the prevalence of obesity in youth, and the significant correlation between nutrition status and health behaviour including dietary habits, physical activity levels and sedentary behaviour. The sample size was 400 randomly selected school-aged children and adolescents from 14 to 18 years old. They were divided into two population groups school-aged children (14-15 years old) and young adolescents (17-18 years). Standardized, non-quantitative Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) and the International Questionnaire for assessment of Physical Activity (IPAQ-SF) - short form, the anthropometric measurements: body weight and height, and body mass index (BMI kg/m2) presented in percentile using the WHO Child Growth Standards were used. Statistical analysis included descriptive statistics, Pearson Chi-square test and Logistic regression analysis using SPSS Statistics17.0. Following the distribution of Pearson Chi- square=16.94 (p<0.001), there was statistical significance between the nutrition status of study participants in both, the first and second study groups. There was a significant difference in high-intensity physical/sports activity between the two groups (Pearson Chi-square = 26.59; p <0.001). Sedentary behaviour had the highest influence on the development of childhood obesity (Wald=2.81; p=0.09). A significant correlation was estimated between obesity and sweetener food (pasta, rice, and potatoes), and soft drinks, but drinking water had a protective effect. Prevention and treatment of overweight and obesity require systems-level approaches that include the skills of registered dietitians/nutritionists, and sports coaches as well as consistent and integrated messages and environmental support across all sectors of society, especially the educational sector.