Zbornik Matice Srpske za Prirodne Nauke (Jan 2008)
Body height and weight and nutritional status in adult population of Northwest Bačka and Central Banat (Serbia, Vojvodina)
Abstract
Body height and weight are influenced by interaction of genetic and environmental factors but also depend upon the ethnic and socio-cultural characteristics of populations. The aim of the study is to determine the height, weight and nutritional status of adult population of Vojvodina, as well as to establish similarities and differences among various ethnic groups, i.e. the natives of Vojvodina and newcomers from different parts of former Yugoslavia. The investigation was conducted in 10 rural settlements of northwest Bačka and central Banat. The investigation included 608 males (mean age 41.34 11.49) and 768 females (mean age 41.85 10.64). Data processing included standard statistical methods, while t-test was employed for testing differences among groups. In relation to ethnic group belonging, the analysis included Serbs, Hungarians and Montenegrins, while natives and newcomers from Bosnia and Herzegovina were analyzed in relation to the native land origin. The subjects of both sexes from central Banat have greater height than the subjects from northwest Bačka. Hungarians of both sexes exhibit lower body height in comparison with all other groups, while Herzegovina newcomers have the greatest height values. For body weight, similar values are obtained in both of the areas. The average BMI in males equals 27.23 kg/m2 in Bačka and 26.59 kg/m2 in Banat. In females, the values are lower and equal 26.12 kg/m2 in Bačka and 25.29 kg/m2 in Banat. The population of this region is characterized by great height. Natives of both sexes show markedly lower height and weight values in relation to all three newcomers groups. The greatest number of male population falls in the category of overweight (46%). Females are mostly of normal weight (47.81%), while the number of overweight and obese females equals 34.67% and 14.42%, respectively.
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