Original Scientific Articles

Prevalence of obesity among final-year high school students in Doboj

Authors

• • Milena Todorović
  • Public Health Institute of the Republic of Srpska, Regional Center Zvornik, Republic of Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina
• • Biljana Mijović
  • University of East Sarajevo, Faculty of Medicine Foca, Foča, Republic of Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovine
• • Srdjan Mašić
  • University of East Sarajevo, Faculty of Medicine Foca, Foča, Republic of Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovine
• • Daniela Telebak
  • High Medical School of Health Doboj, Republic of Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina
• • Vesna Lazić
  • Public Health Institute of the Republic of Srpska, Regional Center Doboj, Republic of Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina
• • Marin Kvaternik
  • Public Health Institute of the Republic of Srpska, Regional Center Zvornik, Republic of Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina
• • Slobodan Stanić
  • Public Health Institute of the Republic of Srpska, Banja Luka, Republic of Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Abstract

Introduction. Adolescent obesity is a growing public health challenge with long-term cardiometabolic consequences. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of general and abdominal obesity among final-year high school students in Doboj and to identify key risk factors.
Methods. A cross-sectional study was conducted on a sample of 1820 final-year high school students in Doboj. Nutritional status was assessed using Body Mass Index and the waist-to-height ratio. Data on lifestyle habits were collected via a survey questionnaire, and risk factors were analyzed using multivariate logistic regression.
Results. The prevalence of general obesity was 4.7%, while abdominal obesity (WHtR ≥ 0.5) was identified in as many as 21.6% of the participants. Multivariate logistic regression identified four independent predictors: male sex (OR = 2.41, 95% CI: 1.52–3.82, p < 0.001), skipping breakfast (OR = 2.08, 95% CI: 1.02–4.25, p = 0.045), not consuming snacks (OR = 2.25, 95% CI: 1.44–3.51, p < 0.001), and “fairly good” material status (OR = 2.47, 95% CI: 1.36–4.49, p = 0.003). Physical activity was not identified as a statistically significant independent predictor (p = 0.132).
Conclusion. Although the prevalence of general obesity is low, the high rate of abdominal obesity (21.6%) indicates a need for including WHtR in routine school screenings to identify “hidden” metabolic risks.

Keywords: obesity, adolescents, WHtR, nutritional status

How to Cite: Todorović, M. , Mijović, B. , Mašić, S. , Telebak, D. , Lazić, V. , Kvaternik, M. & Stanić, S. (2026) “Prevalence of obesity among final-year high school students in Doboj”, Biomedicinska istraživanja. 17(2). doi: https://doi.org/10.59137/BII202601693T