Assessment of the risk status of diseases associated with overweight in students of the University of Pristina - Kosovska Mitrovica

Introduction: Obesity is one of the seven leading risk factors for the occurrence of the most common non infectious diseases. An epidemic model of the obesity prevalence increase is also present in the student population. To identify an overweight person, who has an increased relative risk status and who did not develope clinically manifested cardiometabolic disorders is a critical moment for the effective obesity prevention and treatment program. Objective: To determine the prevalence and status of relative risk of developing overweight related diseases among students at the University of Pristina - Kosovska Mitrovica. Methods: The estimation of the degree of relative risk of developing diseases associated with overweight was made on the basis of measured body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC) and combined BMI with WC. Results:A total of 1686 students (44.4% male and 55.6% female) participated in the study. Mean values of body weight, BMI and WC were below the values of the cross-sectional points used. The status of increased relative risk of associated diseases was: according to BMI - 20.2% of students (27.8% men and 14.1% women); according to WC - 12.6% (12.2% men and 12.9% women) and according to BMI with WC - 20.2% (27.8% men and 14.1% women). There is a significant difference in the prevalence rates, which are in the status of high and very high risk depending on the method of assessment (only according to BMI and according to BMI with WC). Conclusion: The high prevalence rate of pre-obesity and obesity, general and abdominal, has been identified among students of the University of Prishtina-Kosovska Mitrovica. They can be categorized as students with the status of the increased relative risk of disease associated with overweight. The Nutrition and Dietetics Counseling Center within the Student Center must intensify measures for the prevention and possible treatment of obesity.