Body weight patterns in a country in transition: a population-based survey in Tirana City, Albania

Abstract

Objective: This paper reports the distribution and determinants of body mass index (BMI) and obesity in Tirana City (Albania). Design: Cross-sectional survey conducted in mid-2001. Setting: Tirana City. Subjects: One thousand one hundred and twenty adults aged 25 years and over (response rate 72.7%), selected using multi-stage cluster sampling. Results: Over three-quarters of male and female respondents had an excess body weight. The overall population prevalence of obesity in Tirana was estimated to be 22.0% in men and 30.9% in women. Obesity affected both genders (age-standardised prevalence in males 22.0%, females 30.9%; age-adjusted odds ratio (OR) 1.89; 99% confidence interval (CI) 1.33-2.67) and all age groups, but most particularly middle-aged women. The age-standardised overall prevalence of central obesity was 21.6% in men and 29.4% in women (age-adjusted OR 1.58; 99% CI 1.11-2.25), increasing with age ðP , 0:01Þ: In women, the likelihood of being obese was inversely related to educational achievement (trend P ¼ 0:001) and alcohol consumption (trend P ¼ 0:009). Income, smoking and leisure-time physical activity were not associated with obesity. Conclusions: Excess weight and obesity are major public health problems in the adult population of Tirana, but most particularly in middle-aged women. The high obesity prevalence observed along with the recent decrease in physical activity, dietary changes and increase in smoking prevalence make it probable that there will be substantial increases in many non-communicable diseases in Albania in the coming decades. Health promotion strategies are needed that prevent excess weight gain in the Albanian population.

Reposition of the coronary sinus lead transvenously via femoral vein

“…These data are consistent with those from cross-sectional studies conducted in groups of Albanian population, in which hypertension and smoking prevalence is comparable to that in other Western industrialized countries (4). The diabetes prevalence in Albania has, in recent years, increased rapidly, and excess weight and obesity have been reported as a leading public-health problem in the adult population (5).…”

Physical Inactivity in a country in transition: a population-based survey in Tirana City, Albania

“…In addition, gender differences in the prevalence of physical inactivity emerged, with women being, overall, more likely than men to be sedentary during work and leisure time. This could not be explained by age differences among the groups, but it parallels gender differences in obesity prevalence in this and other study populations (4,18,19).…”

Lifestyle Characteristics and Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease: A Population-Based Study in Albania

“…Traditionally, Albanian diet has been characterized by a low consumption of total energy, meat, and dairy products, but a high consumption of fruit, vegetables, and carbohydrates [10]. However, after the breakdown of the communist regime in early 1990s, Albania has undergone a rapid transition including dietary changes [11] with an emergent “western” behavior consisting of processed foods higher in salt and saturated fats. …”