Occurrence and Causes of Obesity in Albanian Young People

Abstract

Obesity is an abnormal accumulation of body fat, usually 20% or more over an individual's ideal body weight. More recent guidelines for obesity use a measurement called BMI (body mass index). BMI of 25.9-29 is considered overweight; BMI over 30 is considered obese. Measurements and comparisons of waist and hip circumference can also provide some information regarding risk factors associated with weight. The higher the ratio, the greater the chance for weight - associated complications. The amount of fat in a person's diet may have a greater impact on weight than the number of calories it contains. Obesity can also be a side effect of certain disorders and conditions, including: Cushing's syndrome, hypothyroidism, neurologic disturbances, such as damage to the hypothalamus, a structure that helps regulate appetite, consumption of such drugs as steroids, antipsychotic medications or antidepressants. The aim of this study was to understand the actual situations of weight in young people between the ages of eighteen and twenty-three and also to explain the reasons of weight gain in cases of obesity and overweight. In this study, the methodology applied was that of gathering information through a questionnaire. It was randomly distributed to a number of 200 students, 80 males and 120 females, from Korça and Tirana Universities. The participants ranged as it follows: 18 years old - 12%, 19 years old - 18%; 20 years old - 20,5%; 21 years old - 18%; 22 years old - 13% and 23 years old - 18,5%. The subjects were also questioned about their life – style as it is considered as one of the important factors on rating the body weight. According to the results, it was found that only 1,5% of the respondents were obese; 13,5% were overweight, 73% had a normal weight and 12% were underweight. None of them declared to suffer from any diseases and a total of 77% indicated to live a moderate lifestyle.

DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2014.v5n19p33