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Collegium antropologicum, Vol. 30 No. 4, 2006.

Original scientific paper

Body Mass Index and Nutritional Status of the Bayash Roma from Eastern Croatia

Matea Zajc
Nina Smolej Narančić
Tatjana Škarić-Jurić
Jasna Miličić
Maja Barbalić
Kristina Meljanac Salopek
Irena Martinović Klarić
Branka Janićijević

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Abstract

This study examines anthropometrically assessed nutritional status of the Bayash, the Roma population from the
eastern Croatian region of Baranya, and compares it to the non-Roma general population of eastern Croatia. The analysis
of nutritional status and diets is a segment of multidisciplinary anthropological and epidemiological survey of the
Roma minority population in Croatia began in 2005. The Bayash are an ethnic group that arrived to Croatia from Romania
most likely in the 19th century and speaks a distinct archaic dialect of the Romanian language. The Roma population
of Baranya approximates 1,000 according to the 2001 census. The Bayash sample comprised 227 adults aged
18–65 yrs. The women fall below the Croatian 10th percentile for stature and men track about the 10th percentile. Both
sexes approximate the 25th percentile for body weight. Despite their diminutive size, the Bayash appear to have adequate
nutritional status until the age of 35 yrs after which their average BMI exceeds the value of 25 kg/m2 and falls in the overweight
category. However, 8% of Bayash are underweight (BMI<18.5) in contrast to 1% of the majority population in the
region. Underweight rates are especially high in women (11%) compared to men (4%). The prevalence of overweight
(BMI 25.0 to 29.9) of 30% is considerably lower than in the majority population (42%) while the prevalence of obesity
(BMI>or=30.0) of 23% is approximately equal. Overall unsatisfactory nutritional status of the Bayash merits attention.
It appears to be the product of unhealthy dietary habits and their socio-economic deprivation that resulted from their
poor education and extremely high unemployment.

Keywords

Roma minority; Bayash; nutritional status; BMI; Croatia

Hrčak ID:

27691

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/27691

Publication date:

13.12.2006.

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