Associations of Childhood Overweight and Obesity with Sociodemographic Characteristics and Parental Chronic Health Conditions in Albania

ORIGINAL ARTICLE
Jolanda Hyska, Elida Peka, Dorina Toçi, Ervin Toçi

 
For citation: Hyska J, Peka E, Toçi D, Toçi E. Associations of Childhood Overweight and Obesity with Sociodemographic Characteristics and Parental Chronic Health Conditions in Albania. International Journal of Biomedicine. 2026;16(1):83-89. doi:10.21103/Article16(1)_OA11
 
Originally published March 5, 2026

Abstract: 

Background: Childhood overweight and obesity are major public health concerns, yet evidence on key sociodemographic and familial risk factors in Albania is limited. This study examined associations between overweight (including obesity) and sex, residence, parental education, and parental chronic health conditions among children aged 8–9 years.
Methods: Data were drawn from the nationally representative Assessment of Childhood Obesity and Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Daily Routine and Behaviors of School-Aged Children in Albania, conducted within WHO COSI Round 6. A one-stage stratified cluster sampling of primary schools was applied. Anthropometric measurements were collected, and parents reported chronic health conditions. Logistic regression analyses assessed associations between overweight/obesity and sociodemographic and parental health factors, adjusting for confounders.
Results: Among 3,058 children (50.3% boys; 62.6% urban), overweight prevalence was higher in boys, urban residents, and children of parents with medium or higher education. Parental chronic conditions, including hypertension, diabetes, and high cholesterol, were associated with increased odds of child overweight. Adjusted analyses confirmed male sex (OR=1.40), urban residence (OR=1.34), and parental multimorbidity (OR up to 1.47) as significant predictors.
Conclusion: Childhood overweight in Albania is shaped by sex, urbanization, parental education, and parental chronic health conditions, reflecting combined lifestyle, environmental, and intergenerational influences.

Keywords: 
cross-sectional study • parental multimorbidity • childhood overweight • urbanization
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Received January 6, 2026.
Accepted February 16, 2026.
©2026 International Medical Research and Development Corporation.