Overweight /obesity, physical inactivity and multimorbidity among adults attended at primary health care in Sarajevo Canton, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Amira Kurspahic Mujcic 1, *, Amra Mujcic 2 and Amira Skopljak 3

1 Department of Social Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Sarajevo, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
2 Secondary Medical School, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
3 Department of Family medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Sarajevo, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
 
Research Article
World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews, 2024, 21(03), 2194–2200
Article DOI: 10.30574/wjarr.2024.21.3.0928
 
Publication history: 
Received on 12 February 2024; revised on 23 March 2024; accepted on 25 March 2024
 
Abstract: 
Multimorbidity, defined as the occurrence of two or more chronic diseases within the same patient, is one of the most important public health problems in the world and in our country, which has a significant negative impact on individuals, families and the society. Obesity and physical inactivity are one of the most significant risk factors for multimorbidity. The aim of the study was to explore the association between body mass index, level of physical activity and multimorbidity among adults attended at primary health care in Sarajevo Canton, Bosnia and Herzegovina.  This cross-sectional study evaluated 300 respondents in two groups of 150 each (i.e. normal weight and overweight/obese). The respondents were supposed to fill out a questionnaire that included questions about their age, gender, marital status, educational level, leisure-time physical activities and multimorbidity. Respondents were weighed and measured, and body mass index was calculated.  Normal weight and physically inactive respondents (OR: 3.59; 95% CI: 1.56-8.23 p=0.003), overweight/obese and physically active respondents (OR: 3.99; 95% CI: 2.19-7.26 p=0.000), overweight/obese and physically inactive respondents (OR: 5.87; 95% CI: 3.04-11.31 p=0.000) were significantly more likely to report multimorbidity than normal weight and physically active respondents. Our findings underline the importance of maintaining a healthy weight and being physically active in order to reduce risk of multimorbidity.
 
Keywords: 
Overweight; Obesity; Physical Inactivity; Multimorbidity; Adults
 
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