ASSESSING FOOD AND NUTRITION LIFESTYLE (ATTITUDES) IN NORTH MACEDONIA

Abstract

Despite having a high prevalence of NCDs in their families, the population of North Macedonia has a relatively unhealthy lifestyle. High frequency of parents discussing healthy food/diet with their children, but only a few of them mention salty and fatty foods, indicating low awareness. Probably parents ignore childhood obesity, equating it with adult obesity, as the main cause. It is more convenient for people to seek nutrition information directly from health workers. People trust nutrition experts but are much less likely to approach them, possibly because of prices/unavailability. In addition, people use social media to look up information about food as the most accessible source but do not rely on it much. Children's eating habits often influence their behavior in adulthood, so adopting healthy eating habits and engaging in physical activity early is essential. This statement is supported by the findings of UNICEF’s study (2020) that a higher level of physical activity is linked to a decreased risk of being overweight or obese. Objectives: To explore the current behaviour regarding food buying and ordering: touchpoints of eating/buying food, frequency of using them, and any other behaviour features. To assess the attitudes toward the already existing obesity/overweight prevention policies and more rigorous policies, as well as the perceptions of parents concerning overweight in children when compared to other EU countries. Material and methods: The TAPI research method (Table Assisted Personal Interviewing) was selected for conducting the quantitative research mainly because of the efficiency and preciseness that the personal approach or face-to-face interviewing ensures. Participants in the study were males and females and 18+ years old, representatives of all 8 statistical regions and settlement types in the country. Results and discussion: It was assumed that there is no dramatic difference in food behavior for children of different ages in one family but to confirm this during the interview respondents were asked only about one child (chosen randomly like the last day of birth) with an additional question to check if food behavior of other children differs was asked. Parents rarely talk to their children about salty and fatty food, which accounts for a great share of junk food, and consider the importance of talking about these kinds of food and junk food to be the same. Probably, parents are just not aware of the dangers these types of food pose. One of the main problems detected was the lack of awareness about the dangers of fatty and salty food among children and their parents. Only a small proportion (16%) of families are concerned with obesity among their family members. Households with children under 18 also have little concern about obesity - only 15%. Though it is well known that childhood obesity is as disturbing as adult obesity, it is obvious that parents do not give it the attention it deserves. Conclusions and recommendations: Almost a third of the population of North Macedonia (30%) live a healthy lifestyle. The study showed the same share of people are concerned about their health. Nevertheless, the share of people who indicated that they live a healthy lifestyle and are concerned about their health is much lower - only 12%, which may mean that a healthy lifestyle is not a primary concern for adults. According to the people who rated their lifestyle as 5 or higher, a healthy lifestyle includes the following features: following a healthy diet, controlling sugar and fat, controlling salt levels in food, and practicing sports. We recommend conducting an information campaign to raise awareness of the importance of healthy nutrition in terms of obesity/overweight and its influence on children’s health. The information campaign can also focus on general eating habits but with a focus on eating out of the home as children`s habits that concern parents very much. Involving health workers and nutritionists in such an educational campaign (as the most credible, with the potential to change people`s habits) would increase its impact as these specialists are perceived as the most expected and credible distributors of such information.