Association of Weight Status with Geographic Region, Residential Status and Sex of 8th Grade School Children: The Prevalence of Overweight and Obesity in Montenegro

The aim of the research was to determine the association between weight status with residential status, geographic region, and sex in younger adolescent age group in Montenegro. The sample was stratified based on gender, settlement type, and geographic region in Montenegro. Anthropometric characteristics were assessed using a battery of three variables: body height (BH), body weight (BW), and body mass index (BMI). BMI was categorized based on the World Health Organisation‘s (WHO) cut-offs to underweight, normal weight, overweight and obese individuals. The sample comprised 534 early adolescents, specifically 8th grade students, including 283 boys (average age 13.52±0.42 years) and 251 girls (average age 13.51±0.40 years) from primary schools throughout Montenegro. Based on the Chi-square test, an association between weight status and geographic region was found among boys and in the overall sample of children, with the highest prevalence of obesity in the northern region. There is also a significant association between weight status and residential status of adolescents, with obesity being more prevalent among rural children compared to urban children. Additionally, an association between sex and weight status was established, with obesity being more prevalent in boys compared to girls. Therefore, these findings highlight the need for targeted intervention and the promotion of healthy lifestyles among children, taking these demographic factors into account.