Faculty of Medicine
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Item type:Publication, DEFINING THE PHYSICAL ACTIVITY ENVIRONMENT IN PRIMARY SCHOOLS ACROSS NORTH MACEDONIA: COSI STUDY(Институт за јавно здравје на Република Македонија = Institute of public health of Republic of Macedonia, 2025-06); Encouraging children to engage in physical activity (PA) is crucial for their overall development. The school environment can play a significant role in shaping children‘s PA habits, which in turn can positively impact their overall health and wellbeing. The aim of this study was to describe characteristics of the PA environment in primary schools across North Macedonia using data from the World Health Organization’s European Childhood Obesity Surveillance Initiative (COSI)—6th round. Materials and Methods: A primary school representative (n=111) responded to questions regarding the PA environment, which included questions about having outdoor and indoor playgrounds and gymnasiums, using of outdoor playgrounds outside of the school hours and during unfavorable weather conditions and organizing PA in and outside of the school hours. Descriptive statistics were conducted to depict the PA environment in primary schools across North Macedonia. Results: Most primary schools had an outdoor playground (94.6%), provided ≥2 hours per week of physical education lessons (89.2%), and had an indoor gymnasium (83.8%). However, smaller primary schools (≤29 pupils) were significantly less likely to have an indoor gymnasium. Approximately half of the primary schools (48.5%) offered organized sport/physical activities ≥1 time per week outside of school hours. Outside of school hours, most primary schools permitted the use of outdoor play areas (77.1%). Conclusion: In conclusion, while the overall PA environments were positive, all Macedonian primary schools did not possess adequate recreational facilities and space for students to be engaged in regular PA. Thus, there is a pressing need for collaborative efforts among schools, local and national authorities to address this issue effectively, aiming to combat childhood obesity and promote increased PA among young students - Some of the metrics are blocked by yourconsent settings
Item type:Publication, CHARACTERIZING FOOD, DAIRY, AND BEVERAGE AVAILABILITY IN PRIMARY SCHOOL PREMISES IN NORTH MACEDONIA - COSI STUDY(Faculty of Medicine, Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje, 2024-07); Introduction: Childhood obesity remains a global public health challenge. Aim: Using WHO COSI-6th round data, the aim of this study was to depict availability of select foods, dairy and beverages in a nationally representative sample of primary schools across North Macedonia. Material and methods: Data were drawn from the WHO COSI-6th round conducted in North Macedonia in 2022. A designated official (n=111) at the respective primary school reported availability of the following: (1) food (fruits, vegetables, ice cream, sweet snacks, and savory snacks), (2) dairy (milk, yogurt, and/or ayran), (3) beverages without added sugar (water, tea, and fruit juices), and (4) beverages with added sugar (non-carbonated fruit juices, carbonated drinks, hot drinks [e.g., cocoa], and flavored milk). Additionally, the designated school official reported whether their primary school had a canteen and/or shop/cafeteria where foods or beverages could be purchased. Results: Across primary schools in North Macedonia, availability of healthy options (i.e., fruits and vegetables) was lower as compared to energy-dense selections (i.e., sweet and savory snacks). Overall, 18.3% of schools offered dairy products (including milk, yogurt, and ayran). Water was the most commonly available (69.0%) beverage. No significant differences emerged in availability of food, dairy, beverages without added sugar or beverages with added sugar across primary school enrollment (small versus large). Less than one-fifth of primary schools had a canteen (17.4%) and/or shop/cafeteria (14.4%) where foods or beverages could be purchased. Conclusion: In conclusion, access to food, dairy, and beverages for primary school children in North Macedonia was limited. - Some of the metrics are blocked by yourconsent settings
Item type:Publication, Characterizing food, diary and beverage availability in primary schools premises in North Macedonia COSI-Study(Faculty of Medicine, Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje, 2024-07); Introduction: Childhood obesity remains a global public health challenge. As part of the World Health Organization's (WHO) Childhood Obesity Surveillance Initiative (COSI), North Macedonia participates in each data collection round to monitor primary school nutritional environments across the country. School nutrition environment characteristic exploration is necessary for managing and tracking childhood obesity and associated risk factors over time. Aim: Using WHO COSI-6thround data, the aim of this study was to depict availability of select foods, dairy and beverages in a nationally representative sample of primary schools across North Macedonia. Material and methods: Data were drawn from the WHOCOSI-6thround conducted in North Macedonia in 2022. A designated official (n=111) at the respective primary school reported availability of the following: (1) food (fruits, vegetables, ice cream, sweet snacks, and savory snacks), (2) dairy (milk, yogurt, and/or ayran), (3) beverages without added sugar (water, tea, and fruit juices), and (4) beverages with added sugar (non-carbonated fruit juices, carbonated drinks, hot drinks [e.g., cocoa], and flavored milk).Additionally, the designated school official reported whether their primary school had a canteen and/or shop/cafeteria where foods or beverages could be purchased. Results: Across primary schools in North Macedonia, availability of healthy options(i.e., fruits and vegetables)was lower as compared to energy-dense selections (i.e., sweet and savory snacks). Overall, 18.3% of schools offered dairy products (including milk, yogurt, and ayran).Water was the most commonly available (69.0%) beverage. No significant differences emerged in availability of food, dairy, beverages without added sugar or beverages with added sugar across primary school enrollment (small versus large). Less than one-fifth of primary schools had a canteen (17.4%) and/or shop/cafeteria (14.4%) where foods or beverages could be purchased. Conclusion: In conclusion, access to food, dairy, and beverages for primary school children in North Macedonia was limited. - Some of the metrics are blocked by yourconsent settings
Item type:Publication, The Influence of a School Environment on Obesity in Children(MDPI Proceedings, 2024-02); Obesity is a complex, multifactorial and widespread condition that affects all age groups of children. The rising prevalence of childhood obesity has become an important public health challenge because it affects the physical and mental health of children and is becoming an economic burden on the health systems. North Macedonia, as part of WHO’s Childhood Obesity Surveillance Initiative (COSI), is collecting data to show the importance of the surveillance of obesity in school-aged children and to provide evidence for informed policy making. Objectives: The aim of this cross-sectional study is to further investigate the influence of a school environment on obesity in 7-year-old schoolchildren and therefore improve children’s nutrition by targeting the food environment in and around schools. Materials and methods: Anthropometric measurements of body height and body weight were performed, and data from a school environment were collected, following the COSI protocol and data-collecting procedures. Results: The results from the previous rounds show that the overweight (including obesity) prevalence in 7–9-year-old schoolchildren is 31%. While physical education lessons in schools consist of 120 minutes of physical activity per week, only one-third of the schools studied organize sport activities outside school hours, and 39% of schools do not have indoor gyms. Only 31.2% of the schools are free of sugary beverage and calorie-dense food advertisements, but there are nutritional education classes in the curriculum in almost every school. One-third of the schools provide fresh fruit and one-third have vending machines on their premises, enabling children to acquire unhealthy snacks and beverages other than water and fruit juice. Conclusion: By comparing the previous and latest anthropometric data, there is a rising trend of childhood obesity in the country. School environments should be improved towards providing healthier nutrition and physical activity practices for pupils.