The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and analyze the determinants of overweight and obesity among Croatian schoolchildren aged 7-9 years in relation to sociodemographic factors. This study used data that were gathered as part of the whO europe Childhood Obesity Surveillance initiative in 2015/2016. The sample for the study was nationally representative. Anthropometric measurements of 5591 children, 2811 boys and 2780 girls, were collected during 8 weeks using standardized equipment. Studied variables included child's anthropometric measurements and demographics, maternal education and employment status. The results showed a 35.9% prevalence of overweight and obesity in Croatian 7-9-year-old children. Overweight and obesity were more frequent in boys in comparison to girls, especially among boys from the Adriatic region (42.1%). The risk of overweight and obesity was increased in boys living in the Adriatic region (ORadj=1.33; 95% Ci 1.03-1.71) and in girls with high-school educated mothers (ORadj=1.36; 95% Ci 1.11-1.66). girls with unemployed mothers had a lower risk of overweight and obesity (ORadj=0.73; 95% Ci 0.58-0.92). The observed prevalence of childhood overweight and obesity warrants national and local time-bound targets for reduction of childhood obesity, accompanied by detailed action plans and monitoring mechanisms.

-Breastfeeding is related to better overall health in adult life and is one of the commonly described protective factors for childhood obesity. The purpose of this study was to describe the relationship between breastfeeding duration, childhood lifestyle habits, overweight and obesity in a cohort of Croatian second-and third-grade schoolchildren. randomly selected second-and thirdgrade children aged 6-11 years (n=5662) were measured for weight and height in order to calculate nutritional status for each child. Also, a self-reported questionnaire was filled in by the parents to gather information on the child including breastfeeding duration, dietary and physical activity habits, and health risk behaviors. regression analyses were performed to explore associations between breastfeeding duration and the odds of having dietary, physical activity or overall health risk behaviors, or of being overweight or obese. Significant associations were found showing that children who were breastfed for less than 6 months had higher odds for being overweight (Or adj =1.24; 95% Ci 1.04-1.47) or obese (Or adj =1.25; 95% Ci 1.02-1.53). After adjusting for confounders, breastfeeding for less than 6 months was not found to be predictive of dietary, physical activity or overall health risk behaviors. in conclusion, breastfeeding for longer than 6 months is a protective factor for overweight and obesity in 6-to 11-year-old children in Croatia, but not for healthy lifestyle development.

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Background: The previous review of physical activity (PA) among Croatian children and adolescents was conducted a decade ago. Therefore, the aim of this study was to summarize recent evidence on PA of Croatian children and adolescents and associated personal, social, environmental, and policy factors. Methods: Eighteen experts reviewed the available evidence and provided ratings (from the lowest grade “F” to the highest grade “A+”) for the 10 Global Matrix indicators. A systematic search with 100 keywords was conducted in Hrčak, PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, SPORTDiscus, and Web of Science for documents published from January 01, 2012, to April 15, 2022. We also conducted internet searches and secondary analyses of data (relative frequencies) from 6 studies. Results: After assessing 7562 references, we included 90 publications in the review and 18 studies (83.3% of medium-to-good quality) in evidence synthesis. We found a high prevalence of insufficient PA (especially among girls) and excessive screen time (especially among boys). PA participation of children and adolescents in Croatia has declined over time. The following grades were assigned to the indicators for Croatia: B− for overall PA, C− for organized sport and PA, C for active play, C− for active transportation, D+ for sedentary behavior, inconclusive for physical fitness, D+ for family and peers, B− for school, B− for community and environment, and D+ for government. Conclusions: Coordinated actions are needed across sectors to improve PA promotion, with a focus on increasing PA among girls, reducing sedentary screen time among boys, improving parental support for PA, and further development of national PA policies.

Given the importance of physical activity for the prevention of overweight, this study sought to determine the type and number of physical activity risk behaviours that were associated with overweight in Croatian school children and their association with maternal characteristics – mothers’ formal education, employment, and weight status. This paper used data from the Croatian Childhood Obesity Surveillance Initiative study from 2015/2016. During an eight-week period anthropometric measurements of children were taken. Data on children’s physical activity risk behaviours and their mothers’ characteristics were provided by the mothers of 4,045 children from the second and third grade (median age 8.6) who were included in the analysis. Insufficient active play outdoors, excessive screen time and exhibiting two or three physical activity risk behaviours were significantly associated with childhood overweight. Children of less educated mothers had lower odds for insufficient active play outdoor and higher odds for insufficient frequenting of a sports or dancing club and exhibiting one, two or three physical activity risk behaviours. Children of mothers who were overweight had higher odds for insufficient sleeping, insufficient frequenting of a sports or dancing club and exhibiting two risk behaviours. Children of unemployed mothers had higher odds for insufficient frequenting of a sports or dancing club and for exhibiting two or three risk behaviours. Physical activity risk behaviours in school children were associated with overweight, as well as maternal characteristics. This finding should be taken into consideration when planning and implementing health promotion and childhood overweight prevention activities.