Monitoring of eating habits and physical activity levels as a basis for a new noncommunicable disease prevention programme in the Republic of Macedonia

Abstract

Research evidence on health determinants has led to development of a national programme for noncommunicable disease (NCD) prevention. Numerous studies have confirmed the role of nutrition and physical activity in preventing main NCDs: cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, cancer and chronic respiratory disease. The aim of the study was to analyse and evaluate the results obtained from the new "cross-sectional" study in 2012 offer monitoring of eating habits and physical activity levels monitoring related to socioeconomic status of the participants in 2012. The study was conducted in five regions of the Republic of Macedonia and included 1600 respondents aged 10 to 64 years. Monitoring was conducted using self-designed questionnaire. Eating habits were surveyed using questionnaires to monitor the frequency of consumption of main food groups during a week. Leisure time physical activity was a priority measure in the study. Also, in the study a model was applied for strategic planning in NCD prevention, based on the results of the health behaviour survey. The model was analysed using a software package. The results indicate that NCDs prevention through improving physical activity levels and changes in eating habits should be focused on changes in food content including availability of whole grain bread, guidelines and policy on food labelling and health claims, marketing and city planning that facilitates an active life.