Open AccessArticle Exploratory Analysis of Associations Between Body Weight Status, Lipid Profile, and Lifestyle Factors in School-Aged Children in a Developing Country 1 University Clinical Center Kragujevac, 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia 2 Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia 3 Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia * Author to whom correspondence should be addressed. Obesities 2026, 6(3), 39; https://doi.org/10.3390/obesities6030039 (registering DOI) Submission received: 19 May 2026 / Revised: 4 June 2026 / Accepted: 5 June 2026 / Published: 6 June 2026 Abstract Objective: To investigate the associations between body weight status and anthropometric parameters, lipid profile, eating behavior characteristics, and physical activity levels among children in a developing country. Methods: The study included 80 children aged 7–11 years, divided into two groups: children with normal body weight ( n = 40) and children with overweight or obesity classified using WHO BMI-for-age growth reference standards (overweight >+1 SD, obesity >+2 SD). BMI, waist circumference, and lipid profile (total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, triglycerides) were measured. Eating behavior characteristics and physical activity levels were assessed using standardized questionnaires. Statistical analysis included descriptive statistics, comparative tests, correlation analysis, and exploratory regression models. Results: Children with increased body weight had significantly higher BMI, waist circumference, and a more unfavorable lipid profile ( p +1 SD) and control group (−2 SD to +1 SD). Anthropometric parameters: body height, body weight, BMI, and waist circumference (expressed as mean ± standard deviation). Anthropometric parameters: body height, body weight, BMI, and waist circumference (expressed as mean ± standard deviation). Parameter Group n Mean ± SD Body height (cm) Increased body weight status 40 ୧୪୭.୨୩ ବ୍ଦ ୧୨.୩୯ Control group 40 ୧୪୬.୪୩ ବ୍ଦ ୧୩.୦୮ Body weight (kg) Increased body weight status 40 ୬୨.୫୮ ବ୍ଦ ୧୫.୦୨ Control group 40 ୪୫.୫୮ ବ୍ଦ ୧୦.୮୬ BMI (kg/m 2) Increased body weight status 40 ୨୮.୫୮ ବ୍ଦ ୪.୧୦ Control group 40 ୨୦.୯୪ ବ୍ଦ ୨.୨୦ Waist circumference (cm) Increased body weight status 40 ୭୩.୪୮ ବ୍ଦ ୧୪.୪୩ Control group 40 ୬୨.୮୫ ବ୍ଦ ୧୦.୫୦ Note: Participants were classified into two groups according to WHO 2007 BMI-for-age z-scores: increased body weight status (>+1 SD) and control group (−2 SD to +1 SD). Lipid profile parameters: total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, triglycerides (mean ± SD). Lipid profile parameters: total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, triglycerides (mean ± SD). Parameter Group n Mean ± SD Total cholesterol (mmol/L) Increased body weight status 40 ୫.୨୯ ବ୍ଦ ୦.୮୪ Control group 40 ୩.୭୮ ବ୍ଦ ୦.୮୮ LDL (mmol/L) Increased body weight status 40 ୩.୬୬ ବ୍ଦ ୦.୫୨ Control group 40 ୨.୨୩ ବ୍ଦ ୦.୫୬ HDL (mmol/L) Increased body weight status 40 ୦.୮୯ ବ୍ଦ ୦.୩୨ Control group 40 ୧.୩୨ ବ୍ଦ ୦.୩୨ Triglycerides (mmol/L) Increased body weight status 40 ୧.୮୫ ବ୍ଦ ୦.୫୪ Control group 40 ୧.୦୨ ବ୍ଦ ୦.୫୩ Pearson correlation matrix between anthropometric and lipid parameters. Pearson correlation matrix between anthropometric and lipid parameters. Parameter BMI Waist Circumference Total Cholesterol LDL HDL Triglycerides BMI (kg/m 2) 1 0.772 ** 0.708 ** 0.681 ** −0.539 ** 0.534 ** Waist circumference (cm) 0.772 ** 1 0.547 ** 0.512 ** −0.327 ** 0.283 * Total cholesterol (mmol/L) 0.708 ** 0.547 ** 1 0.784 ** −0.317 ** 0.486 ** LDL (mmol/L) 0.681 ** 0.512 ** 0.784 ** 1 −0.449 ** 0.517 ** HDL (mmol/L) −0.539 ** −0.327 ** −0.317 ** −0.449 ** 1 −0.476 ** Triglycerides (mmol/L) 0.534 ** 0.283 * 0.486 ** 0.517 ** −0.476 ** 1 Note: Statistical significance: * p < 0.05; ** p < 0.01. Dimensions of eating behavior by group. Dimensions of eating behavior by group. Dimension Group n Mean ± SD t p-Value Food responsiveness Increased body weight status 40 ୨.୭୮ ବ୍ଦ ୦.୫୦ 1.096 1.096 0.277 Control group 40 ୨.୬୬ ବ୍ଦ ୦.୫୨ Enjoyment of food Increased body weight status 40 ୩.୩୫ ବ୍ଦ ୦.୫୭ 2.308 2.308 0.024 Control group 40 ୨.୯୯ ବ୍ଦ ୦.୮୧ Emotional overeating Increased body weight status 40 ୨.୯୧ ବ୍ଦ ୦.୬୩ 1.237 1.237 0.220 Control group 40 ୨.୭୦ ବ୍ଦ ୦.୮୫ Desire to drink Increased body weight status 40 ୨.୯୦ ବ୍ଦ ୦.୪୮ −1.867 −1.867 0.042 Control group 40 ୩.୧୩ ବ୍ଦ ୦.୫୦ Satiety responsiveness Increased body weight status 40 ୨.୭୨ ବ୍ଦ ୦.୫୦ −2.644 −2.644 0.010 Control group 40 ୩.୦୬ ବ୍ଦ ୦.୬୫ Slowness in eating Increased body weight status 40 ୨.୫୧ ବ୍ଦ ୦.୪୩ −1.094 −1.094 0.277 Control group 40 ୨.୬୮ ବ୍ଦ ୦.୮୭ Emotional undereating Increased body weight status 40 ୨.୯୭ ବ୍ଦ ୦.୪୫ 1.116 1.116 0.268 Control group 40 ୨.୮୩ ବ୍ଦ ୦.୬୩ Food fussiness Increased body weight status 40 ୨.୯୯ ବ୍ଦ ୦.୪୮ −2.263 −2.263 0.026 Control group 40 ୩.୨୪ ବ୍ଦ ୦.୫୩ Note: df = 78 for all comparisons. Correlation of eating behavior with BMI and lipid parameters. Correlation of eating behavior with BMI and lipid parameters. Variable BMI Waist Circumference Total Cholesterol LDL HDL Triglycerides Food Responsiveness Food Enjoyment Emotional Overeating Desire to Drink Satiety Responsiveness Eating Speed Emotional Undereating Food Fussiness Confirmed. BMI (kg/m 2) 1.000 0.628 ** 0.695 ** 0.759 ** −0.545 ** 0.615 ** 0.378 ** 0.537 ** 0.381 ** −0.034 −0.577 ** −0.423 ** −0.160 −0.478 ** Waist circumference 0.628 ** 1.000 0.452 ** 0.501 ** −0.280 * 0.286 * 0.519 ** 0.551 ** 0.443 ** 0.154 −0.580 ** −0.591 ** −0.264 * −0.545 ** Total cholesterol 0.695 ** 0.452 ** 1.000 0.852 ** −0.363 ** 0.583 ** 0.176 0.237 * 0.090 −0.085 −0.341 ** −0.176 −0.075 −0.198 LDL (mmol/L) 0.759 ** 0.501 ** 0.852 ** 1.000 −0.474 ** 0.584 ** 0.113 0.277 * 0.098 −0.171 −0.308 ** −0.120 −0.002 −0.237 * HDL (mmol/L) −0.545 ** −0.280 * −0.363 ** −0.474 ** 1.000 −0.537 ** −0.114 −0.262 * −0.191 0.073 0.232 * 0.106 −0.013 0.220 Triglycerides 0.615 ** 0.286 * 0.583 ** 0.584 ** −0.537 ** 1.000 0.127 0.256 * 0.167 −0.056 −0.223 * −0.038 0.025 −0.211 Food responsiveness 0.378 ** 0.519 ** 0.176 0.113 −0.114 0.127 1.000 0.717 ** 0.530 ** 0.281 * −0.629 ** −0.483 ** −0.444 ** −0.646 ** Food enjoyment 0.537 ** 0.551 ** 0.237 * 0.277 * −0.262 * 0.256 * 0.717 ** 1.000 0.607 ** 0.156 −0.732 ** −0.548 ** −0.356 ** −0.629 ** Emotional overeating 0.381 ** 0.443 ** 0.090 0.098 −0.191 0.167 0.530 ** 0.607 ** 1.000 0.239 * −0.603 ** −0.633 ** −0.334 ** −0.529 ** Desire to drink −0.034 0.154 −0.085 −0.171 0.073 −0.056 0.281 * 0.156 0.239 * 1.000 −0.261 * −0.231 * −0.112 −0.360 ** Satiety responsiveness −0.577 ** −0.580 ** −0.341 ** −0.308 ** 0.232 * −0.223 * −0.629 ** −0.732 ** −0.603 ** −0.261 * 1.000 0.744 ** 0.487 ** 0.654 ** Eating speed −0.423 ** −0.591 ** −0.176 −0.120 0.106 −0.038 −0.483 ** −0.548 ** −0.633 ** −0.231 * 0.744 ** 1.000 0.490 ** 0.545 ** Emotional undereating −0.160 −0.264 * −0.075 −0.002 −0.013 0.025 −0.444 ** −0.356 ** −0.334 ** −0.112 0.487 ** 0.490 ** 1.000 0.387 ** Food fussiness −0.478 ** −0.545 ** −0.198 −0.237 * 0.220 −0.211 −0.646 ** −0.629 ** −0.529 ** −0.360 ** 0.654 ** 0.545 ** 0.387 ** 1.000 Note: Statistical significance: * p < 0.05; ** p < 0.01. Anthropometric parameters and lipid profile according to physical activity level. Anthropometric parameters and lipid profile according to physical activity level. Parameter Physical Activity N Mean SD df F p BMI (kg/m 2) Sedentary 6 32.04 5.72 2 8.253 0.001 Moderate 43 24.51 4.98 Active 31 23.70 3.88 Total 80 24.76 5.05 Waist circumference (cm) Sedentary 6 90.67 15.76 2 11.128 <0.001 Moderate 43 66.56 12.40 Active 31 66.03 11.08 Total 80 68.16 3.63 Total cholesterol (mmol/L) Sedentary 6 5.85 1.52 2 5.617 0.005 Moderate 43 4.29 1.13 Active 31 4.63 0.92 Total 80 4.54 1.15 LDL (mmol/L) Sedentary 6 3.33 1.01 2 0.818 0.445 Moderate 43 2.85 0.90 Active 31 2.99 0.87 Total 80 2.94 0.90 HDL (mmol/L) Sedentary 6 0.88 0.33 2 1.517 0.226 Moderate 43 1.09 0.32 Active 31 1.17 0.46 Total 80 1.11 0.39 Triglycerides (mmol/L) Sedentary 6 1.84 0.59 2 1.181 0.312 Moderate 43 1.39 0.77 Active 31 1.43 0.52 Total 80 1.44 0.68 Disclaimer/Publisher’s Note: The statements, opinions and data contained in all publications are solely those of the individual author(s) and contributor(s) and not of MDPI and/or the editor(s). MDPI and/or the editor(s) disclaim responsibility for any injury to people or property resulting from any ideas, methods, instructions or products referred to in the content. © 2026 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license. Share and Cite MDPI and ACS Style Papovic, N.S.; Prodanovic, N.; Kolak, D.; Vuletic, B.; Dajic, K.; Zivojinovic, S.; Prodanovic, T. Exploratory Analysis of Associations Between Body Weight Status, Lipid Profile, and Lifestyle Factors in School-Aged Children in a Developing Country. Obesities 2026, 6, 39. https://doi.org/10.3390/obesities6030039 AMA Style Papovic NS, Prodanovic N, Kolak D, Vuletic B, Dajic K, Zivojinovic S, Prodanovic T. Exploratory Analysis of Associations Between Body Weight Status, Lipid Profile, and Lifestyle Factors in School-Aged Children in a Developing Country. Obesities. 2026; 6(3):39. https://doi.org/10.3390/obesities6030039 Chicago/Turabian Style Papovic, Nela S., Nikola Prodanovic, Djordje Kolak, Biljana Vuletic, Katerina Dajic, Suzana Zivojinovic, and Tijana Prodanovic. 2026. "Exploratory Analysis of Associations Between Body Weight Status, Lipid Profile, and Lifestyle Factors in School-Aged Children in a Developing Country" Obesities 6, no. 3: 39. https://doi.org/10.3390/obesities6030039 APA Style Papovic, N. S., Prodanovic, N., Kolak, D., Vuletic, B., Dajic, K., Zivojinovic, S., & Prodanovic, T. (2026). Exploratory Analysis of Associations Between Body Weight Status, Lipid Profile, and Lifestyle Factors in School-Aged Children in a Developing Country. Obesities, 6(3), 39. https://doi.org/10.3390/obesities6030039 Article Metrics Article metric data becomes available approximately 24 hours after publication online.
