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    Item type:Publication,
    FAMILY SOCIOECONOMIC DIFFERENCES AMONG CHILDREN LIVING WITH OVERWEIGHT AND OBESITY IN NORTH MACEDONIA
    (Institute of Public Health of the Republic of North Macedonia, 2024-12)
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    Wallace, Silver Lorraine
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    Mihajlova, Katerina
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    Dimitrievska, Ljubica
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    Globally, the prevalence of overweight and obesity is increasing among children and adolescents. Halting the rise in obesity is a significant challenge because of the complex interplay of factors and influences. We aimed to explore the role of family socioeconomic status (SES) indicators in relation to overweight and obesity prevalence rates among primary school children in North Macedonia. Materials and methods: Data were collected on a nationally representative sample of children and their parent(s)/caregiver(s) participating in the 6th round of World Health Organization (WHO)-European Childhood Obesity Surveillance Initiative (COSI) in North Macedonia. Every child had their height and weight objectively measured and their family sociodemographic and SES data were obtained through a self-reported record form by their parent(s)/caregiver(s). According to COSI reporting, responses on three SES indicators (parental educational attainment, parental employment status and family-perceived wealth) were categorized in levels for data analysis. Overweight and obesity rates were estimated based on 2007 WHO growth references. Pearson’s χ2-tests, corrected with the Rao-Scott method, were used to test differences in overweight and obesity across various subgroups. Results: The sample consisted of primarily native-born children (97.3%) and parents (mothers - 96.2%; fathers - 97.6%), living in urban areas (66.9%), in two-parent families (84.9%) and spoke Macedonian at home (59.8%). The majority of children lived in families with low to medium SES level. Prevalence of overweight was 30.5% [95% CI: 28.5-32.7], whilst of obesity 14.1% [95% CI: 12.3-16.0]. There were no significant differences observed across family SES indicators in overweight or obesity rates. Conclusion: Our findings contribute towards reporting on family SES among children living with overweight and obesity to better understand and address potential obesity risk factors. Future research should focus on exploring family SES within the long-term context of children’s health-related behaviours.
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    Item type:Publication,
    Parental perceptions on their child's weight status in North Macedonia
    (Faculty of Medicine, Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje, 2024-07)
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    Wallace, Silver Lorraine
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    Mihajlova, Katerina
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    Introduction: Obesity is a growing crisis, with onset in early childhood. Therefore, understanding the complexity of the family interplay is an important step. Aim: The purpose of this study was to explore parental perceptions of their child’s weight among a nationally representative sample of children living in North Macedonia. Materials and Methods: From October to December 2022, a cross-sectional study was conducted including children and their parents/caregivers who were living in North Macedonia. The study was a part of the 6thround of the WHO Childhood Obesity Surveillance Initiative (COSI). Parental perceptions were assessed through record forms and compared in relation to objectively measured weight status using anthropometric standardized procedures. WHO 2007 cut-off definitions on overweight/obesity were used. Wald χ2-tests were usedto explore relations between objectively measured weight status (i.e., body mass index -BMI) and parental perceptions of their child’s weight status. Statistical significance was set at p<0.05 a priori. Results: The sample was composed of 2613 school children with equal male to female representation and majority living in urban areas, whilst 31.8% of the children were living with overweight (including obesity). Parents underestimated their child’s weight status, especially regarding children with overweight and obesity. Conclusion: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study in North Macedonia to explore parental perceptions of school children’s weight status and compare accuracy with objective measured children’s weight status. Our study further compliments previous evidence of parental underestimation of children living with overweight and obesity, which is a crucial factor in understanding and addressing childhood obesity