NUTRITIONAL STATUS OF YOUNG SCHOOL-AGED CHILDREN IN PODGORICA, MONTENEGRO

Excess body weight and obesity, alongside undernutrition, are increasingly prevalent in school populations.Monitoring these disorders is crucial for understanding the societal situation and for timely interventions to prevent their occurrence.The aim of this research was to determine the morphological characteristics and body composition of children in elementary school and to highlight the importance of addressing the causes of any deviations from physiological limits since the nutritional status of children at an early school age is the best indicator of their proper growth and development.Through this objective, the importance of implementing strategies and plans for proper nutrition of children at all ages was also emphasized.The study was conducted at the Elementary School in Podgorica and included 823 students aged 6 to 15 years, 375 girls and 448 boys.During the study, the following parameters were measured: height, weight, upper arm circumference, and skinfold thickness at the triceps.Based on the measured parameters, body mass index (BMI), muscle mass, and fat mass were determined.All collected data were exported to the SPSS program.Boys grew by 55.82 cm and girls by 43.18 cm from ages 6 to 15.There was no significant height advantage until age 13, when boys significantly surpassed girls.At ages 13, 14, and 15, boys averaged 5 to 9 kg more than girls.Obesity among girls was present across all age groups, with the lowest prevalence at age 7 and the highest at age 9, at 25.49%.The highest percentage of obesity in boys was recorded at age 10, at 34.88%.A negative correlation was found between BMI and muscle mass (-0.197), as well as between BMI and fat mass (-0.524).Although the majority of children have a normal nutritional status, it is concerning that the highest number of obese children is among those aged 9 and 10.According to WHO program recommendations, measures and strategies should be implemented to support healthy nutrition and promote health.