Abstract
Objectives: This study aims to evaluate the food intake, physical activity, and risk of cardiovascular diseases among young adult Albanians, considering their nutritional status and lifestyle. As Albania undergoes a transition from a rural to a more westernized society, changes in lifestyle and dietary habits have been observed, leading to an increase in overweight and obesity among adults. Materials and Methods: The study included 120 young adult Albanians (65 males, 55 females) aged 18–27. Body composition, blood pressure, anthropometry, and Body Mass Index (BMI) were measured. A standardized questionnaire on food frequency and physical activity was administered. Results and Findings: The results indicated that males tended to have a higher prevalence of overweight and obesity compared to females. Significant differences were observed in blood pressure levels based on fat mass, waist, and hip circumferences. Obese individuals exhibited higher blood pressure, engaged in less physical activity, and had less healthy eating habits. Moreover, a significant proportion of participants reported irregular meal patterns and inadequate breakfast consumption. Conclusions: The findings highlight the need for interventions targeting proper nutrition and physical activity in young Albanians to mitigate the increasing risk of overweight/obesity and cardiovascular diseases. This study contributes to understanding the nutritional habits and associated health risks in a young adult population undergoing socio-economic changes.
Author Contributions
A.A.: conceptualization, writing—review and editing. D.E.: methodology. F.C.: statistical analysis. E.M.-T.: methodology. S.K.: writing—review and editing. E.P.: methodology. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.
Funding
This research received no external funding.
Institutional Review Board Statement
The study was conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki. During the period of measuraments in Albania, an Ethics Committee was not deemed necessary. Consent was obtained solely through informing the parents, and it is noteworthy that no invasive methods were employed in the study.
Informed Consent Statement
Informed consent was obtained from both parents of the children involved in the study.
Data Availability Statement
Data are unavailable due to privacy.
Conflicts of Interest
The authors declare no conflict of interest.
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