[Nutritional status and certain risk factor for health status of youths in Subotica]

Nutritional status represents the satisfaction of the human body with nutritive and protective substances and is the reflection of these physical and physiological characteristics, bio-chemical composition, functional capability and the health status. The aim of the examinations and nutritional status monitoring was the early discovery of nutritive disorders in an individual and/or population and undertaking of the appropriate preventive measures. During 1996 in Subotica was performed the measuring of body height, body weight, and systolic and diastolic blood pressure in 887 youths, aged 17-24, during the systematic examinations. Analyzing the nutritional status of youths aged 17-24 in Subotica in relation to the reference values of body mass index--BMI (kg/m2) we have registered 25.03% of youth with values of BMI < 20, 55.81% with values of BMI 20-25. Overweight (BMI > 25) was discovered in 19.16%. We have registered 3.34% of young men with systolic hypertension and 1.67% with diastolic hypertension. Increased values of total cholesterol were found in 21.69% and hypertriglyceridemia compared in 20.40% to the total number of examinees. Monitoring of nutritional status of youths by the application of consistent methodology and information system, might represent the measure of health care and the potential of the population. Besides, on the national level, it is an important indicator of health status and the basis for population nutrition improvement through the interventive and preventive programs of nutrition.