The present study aimed to compare different indicators of obesity in the Serbian adult population.

Cross-sectional study. A stratified, two-stage, national-representative random sampling approach was used for the selection of the survey sample. Data sources were questionnaires created according to the European Health Interview Survey questionnaire. Measurements of weight, height and waist circumference (WC) were performed using standard procedures. Anthropometric measures included BMI, WC and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR).

Data for the study were obtained from the 2013 National Health Survey, performed in line with the EUROSTAT recommendations for performance of the European Health Interview Survey.

Adults aged ≥20 years.

According to BMI, out of the whole studied population (12 460 adults of both sexes) 2·4 % were underweight, 36·4 % overweight and 22·4 % obese. Using WC and WHtR as measures of adiposity showed that 22·5 % and 42·8 % of participants were overweight and 39·8 % and 25·3 % were obese, respectively. Men and women differed significantly in all variables observed. Overweight was more frequent in men and obesity in women regardless of adiposity measure used.

In spite of strong correlations between BMI, WC and WHtR, substantial discrepancies between these three measures in the assessment of overweight and obesity were found, especially in some age groups. Which of these anthropometric measures should be used, or whether two or all three of them should be applied, depends on their associations with cardiovascular or some other disease of interest.

To determine the presence of nutrition labels on pre-packaged food products, as well as to analyse the types of presentation.

This was a descriptive study. The following characteristics were analysed: (i) presence and placement of the nutrition declaration (either as front-of-pack (FOP) or back-of-pack (BOP)); (ii) content of the presented information; (iii) presence of nutrition and health claims; and (iv) legibility of the written information.

Three different types of retailers in Belgrade, Serbia.

A total of 2138 pre-packaged food products from ten categories.

A nutrition declaration was found on 65·9 % of all tested products. It was displayed on the back of the packaging of 62·7 % of products and on the front of the packaging of 19·1 % of products. BOP was the most commonly observed in breakfast cereals, soft drinks, milk and instant soups (in total over 90 %), and the least common in meat products (21·5 %). FOP was predominantly displayed on breakfast cereals (65·0 %) and the least frequently on milk products (2·4 %). The ‘Big 4’ (energy value, protein, carbohydrate and fat contents) and the ‘Big 4 with additional information’ figured on 40·9 % of products. The ‘Big 8’ (‘Big 4’ plus sugar, saturated fat, fibre and sodium contents) and the ‘Big 8 with additional information’ were present less frequently (20·5 %). Nutrition claims and health claims appeared on very few products (6·6 % and 6·3 %, respectively). The proportion of products with insufficient legibility was 31·5 %.

Nutrition labelling in Belgrade, Serbia is not satisfactory. Mandatory regulations may be the best way to improve the current situation.