ABSTRACTÇitozi R, Bozo D, Pano G. An assessment of the perception of physical activity, eating habits, self-efficacy and the knowledge about healthy food in Albanian adolescents. J. Hum. Sport Exerc. Vol.8, No. Proc2, pp. S192-S203, 2013. Objective: The present study evaluates eating habits and behaviors, and nutritional and food safety knowledge of a group of Albanian adolescents. Design: A dietary questionnaire previously constructed and tested was self-administered during school time. Each section was evaluated using a separate score. Setting: The study was carried out as a part of a nutritional surveillance project in the capital of Albania, Tirana. Subjects: Three hundred and forty (340) adolescent subjects (180 males, 160 females), aged 15.2 ± 0.5 years, attending the 8-9 years of secondary schools participated in the study. Measures: We evaluated eating habits, physical activity, meaning of healthy and unhealthy dietary habits and food, self-efficacy, barriers affecting healthy food choices, nutritional and food safety, weight, height, Body Mass Index (BMI). Results: Only 33.1% of the samples have satisfactory eating habits; 16.8% have a very active lifestyle; only 7.9% have quite good nutritional knowledge. Conclusions: The results point out unhealthy behaviors influencing adolescents' eating habits and suggest which of these must be considered in order to develop tailored nutrition interventions, improving adolescents' consciousness aimed at adopting a healthy lifestyle.

Bozo D, Pano G, Çitozi R. Assessment of physical activity level in office employees groups in Albania. J. Hum. Sport Exerc. Vol.8, No. Proc2, pp. S152-S164, 2013. Insufficient PA is very common in office employees and due to this they are at higher risk for metabolic, cardiovascular and many more other health related risk factor diseases. There is a lack of data regarding the PA level of office employees groups in Albania. Thus the aim of this paper was to identify the PA level in typical representative groups of this category. A total of 164 randomly selected office employees, out of which 97 (52 females and 45 males) from one mobile company and 67 (37 females and 30 males) from a bank, participated in this study. An Albanian modified and adapted version of the an International Physical Activity Questionnaire was used to assess some indicators dealing with all kinds of PA jobs, everyday life and leisure and time expenditure on PAs of different intensity. The weekly activity level was measured through time, frequency and intensity, expressed in MET*minute/week. The subjects were classified in 3 main PA categories: HIGH (1500-3000 MET*min), MODERATE (600-1300 MET*min) and LOW (<600 MET*min). The results show that both groups declared an average PA Level classified under the LOW category. The values of the mobile company group was around 950 MET*min with a difference between the genders of 280 MET*min (1070 in males and 790 in females); while the bank group revealed lower values, i.e. 890 MET*min as average and a difference of 220 MET*min between the two genders (980 in males against 760 of females). The differences between the two groups under investigation can be explained through various factors such as the general PA gender differences, type of sedentary work, type of different work position/role and working spaces. These results may be also a consequence of improper individual activity habits, low information and awareness of health benefits of PA and lack of proper promotion for a healthy and active lifestyle.

Spahiu, E., Çitozi, R. & Zekaj, E. (2014). Healthy eating behaviour on children and the role of family modelling. J. Hum. Sport Exerc., 9(Proc1), pp.S300-S310. Most people's food and eating decisions are embedded in family food and eating subsystems and/or intimately connected to significant others. Our study aimed to evaluate the food behaviour in children aged 11, 13 and 15 years old in relation to the family models. Our study was conducted in order to evaluate the eating behaviour on children in relation to the family modelling. This study included children aged 11, 13 and 15 years old from Tirana (capital of Albania), of 5, 7, respectively 9 grade, both from the urban and rural environment. A total of 240 students were included in the study, as follows: 120 students from rural areas (40 students 11 years old, 40 students 13 years old, 40 students 15 years old), and from urban areas the same number. The data collection was done using an anonymous tool based on the questionnaire used for the HBSC (Health Behaviour in School-aged Children). As we know, it is very important to eat together as a family because healthy eating habits are formed by dining at home together. It is good that at least breakfast and dinner should be reserved to the whole family. A quite important percentage of students do not take breakfast in the family ever and this percentage increases by age. The study showed a prevalence of subjects from urban areas and a slight domination of girls. Most of the children have daily dinners with parents, even the proportion decreases by increasing age. More extended research is needed to confirm the situation at national level and to understand its causes. These should be followed by specific interventions aiming to raise awareness of the parents about their major role in influencing the children and in creating the basic premises for a healthy lifestyle in their adult life.

Çitozi, R. & Bozo, Dh. (2014). Habits in healthy nutrition, obesity, alcohol, smoking, among students of the faculty of physical activity and recreation. J. Hum. Sport Exerc., 9(Proc1), pp.S291-S299. The deep economic and social transformation that began in Albania in the early 1990s has brought about remarkable changes to the structure of its economy and the living standards of its people. As a consequence, the dietary habits of young adults have been affected; thus, overweight and obesity are increasingly being observed among the young. The purpose of this study is to assess the prevalence of overweight and obesity on a sample of students from the Sports University of Tirana and to examine their eating habits. A cross-sectional survey of 80 students (57.5% male and 42.5% female), aged 18.46 years, were chosen randomly from the Sports University of Tirana (SUT) during October 2013. Students were asked to fill out a self-reported questionnaire that included questions on their eating, drinking and smoking habits. Also, their weight, height, and body mass index were measured. Body mass index (BMI) was used to assess students' weight status. This study showed that the majority of the students (78.88%) were of normal weight (73.7% male students compared to 82.6% female students). The prevalence of overweight and obesity was not common among male students compared to females (23.6% and 10.3% vs. 2.2% and 1.2%, respectively). In contrast, 5.9% female students were underweight as compared to 0.5% males. Eating habits of the students showed that the majority (70%) reported taking meals regularly. Healthier eating habits of female compared to male students in terms of daily breakfast intake are the same. 38.23% of female students reported eating breakfast daily compared to 45.65% of male students. Intake of colored vegetables and fruits was common among students. A total of 32.5% reported daily intake of colored vegetables with a small gender differences (32.35% females vs. 32.6% males). Alcohol intake to male students in terms of 2or 3 times per week was 2.17% and rarely 56.52%, while to females students was 2.94% and rarely 35.29%. Males at least 1 packet is 23.91% and rarely 15.21%, females at least 1 packet is 11.76% and rarely 5.88%. 70% of our students are never smoker. In spite of the overall low prevalence of overweight and obesity in the studied sample, results indicate that university of sport students would possibly benefit from a nutrition and health promotion program to reduce the tendency of overweight and obesity, especially among male students, and to improve students' eating habits.

ABSTRACTÇitozi R, Pano G. Eating behaviors and physical activity in Albanians 9-11 years ald children. J. Hum. Sport Exerc. Vol. 7, No. Proc1, pp. S154-S165, 2012. As most research about preferences has ignored cognitive development, this study was designed to explore the relation between children's perceptions and preferences for fruit and vegetables and their physical activity. 210 children (100-boys and 110-girls) 9-11 years old recruited via a primary school from Tirana, have fulfilled the questionnaire. This questionnaire has proved to be very interesting for the children who are expected to be very satisfied with its successful completion. Analysis of data collected made us a clearer picture on the extent of informing children about the role of fruit and vegetables in their health and on their conception of the physical activity. It is not always possible to control genetic and environmental factors, but at least by making conscious nutritional habits beginning from childhood, we can make a strong effect on our health, happiness and the quality, length and productivity of our life. Participation in the school meal programs should be the strongest positive relationship with fruit and vegetable consumption and meeting the 5 a Day recommendation. Expand the promotion of 60 daily minutes of a combination of moderate and vigorous physical activity among children.