Growth parameters and nutritional status in relation to socioeconomic status of Macedonian adolescents.

ABSTRACT

AIM: To assess the anthropometric parameters of growth and nutritional status in relation to socioeconomic status (SES) of Macedonian adolescents. METHODS: The study included 546 adolescents from urban regions of the Republic of Macedonia, aged 14 to 15 years. Participants were measured with standard equipment and measurement technique according to the International Biological Programme. The following anthropometric indices were calculated height-for-age (BH), weight-for-age (BW) and BMI-for-age (kg/m2). For measuring family wealth, the Family Affluence Scale (FAS) has been used. Adolescents were grouped into three SES groups. RESULTS: Age-specific differences were found for body height and weight in favour of 15-year-old males (p<0.05). There were no significant differences in height and weight among different SES groups. Female participants were more overweight in the high SES group (13.2%) and middle SES group (10.8%), compared to those in the low SES group (6.7%). According to the obtained results in females, the prevalence of obese and underweight females is higher in those with low SES. CONCLUSIONS: Male adolescents were found to be taller and heavier than female adolescents. Both male and female adolescents were taller and heavier in high SES group than those in other SES groups. There were no SES differences in prevalence of underweight, overweight and obesity among Macedonian school adolescents living in urban areas, except among females, those in the low SES group had a significantly higher prevalence of obesity than did those in the MSES and HSES groups.