Nutritional status of the elderly in Poland.

Background: The elderly are at greater risk of underweight and the associated risk of protein and energy malnutrition. On the other hand, the lower energy requirement with an often too high intake from the diet leads to the development of overweight and obesity. Objective: The aim of the study was to assess the prevalence of underweight, overweight and obesity, including abdominal obesity in Polish elderly. Material and methods: The study included 300 men and 304 women aged 65 and over from all over the country. The nutritional status was assessed on the basis of anthropometric measurements: body height and weight as well as waist and hip circumferences. Based on BMI (Body Mass Index), the prevalence of underweight (<20.0), overweight (25.0-29.9) and obesity (≥30.0) was assessed. WHR (Waist-to-Hip Ratio) was used to assess abdominal obesity (≥1.0 in men and ≥0.85 in women). Waist circumference was also analysed with regard to increased risk of metabolic complications (≥94 cm in men and ≥80 cm in women). Results: Underweight was found in 1.3% of men and 4.3% of women. 55.3% of men and 40.1% of women were overweight, 20.3% and 21.7% were obese, respectively. In the case of people with excess body weight, abdominal obesity was observed in 50% of men and 70.1% of women. Waist circumference indicating an increased risk of metabolic complications was found in 44.1% of men and 67.5% of women. Conclusions: The prevalence of overweight and obesity in Polish elderly was high, especially in men. Overweight and obese people often had abdominal obesity. This type of obesity was more common in women. Elderly people, especially women, often have an increased risk of metabolic complications due to high fat accumulation in the abdomen. It was even found in elderly who were not overweight nor obese. Some elderly, mostly women, were underweight which increased the risk of protein and energy malnutrition.

Dietary patterns of Polish seniors in retirees' households.

BACKGROUND: About 7 million people in Poland receive pensions. The amount of benefits paid to pensioners is reflected in the income at their households and expenses, including food expenses. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to evaluate the dietary patterns of Polish seniors in the retirees` households on the basis of an analysis of food consumption and energy and nutrient intake. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Food consumption evaluation was based on household budget survey conducted by Statistics Poland in 2019 throughout the whole country. Energy and nutrient intake were calculated using the conversion factors. RESULTS: The consumption of unprocessed red meat in retirees' households was 1.83 kg/person/month, meat products - 2.90 kg and kitchen salt - 0.24 kg. 6.52 kg of vegetables and 5.99 kg of fruit were consumed per person per month. The mean energy intake in members of these households was 2387 kcal/day. The proportion of energy from fat was high - 36.6%. 14.2% of energy was derived from protein and 49.6% from digestible carbohydrates. The share of animal fat (55.0 g) was higher than vegetable fat (43.7 g). It was associated with a high percentage of energy from saturated fatty acids - 13.4%. The content of polyunsaturated fatty acids was less than half of the saturated fatty acids. Calcium and vitamin D intake was low (658 mg and 3.8 µg respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Red meat, processed meat and salt consumption by seniors was too high in relation to the nutritional recommendations. Vegetables and fruit were consumed in amounts that are recommended. Seniors diet was improperly balanced, e.g. due to the high percentage of energy from fat, including saturated fatty acids. However, the intake of polyunsaturated fatty acids was low. Calcium and vitamin D intake was lower than Reference Intakes.

Red and Processed Meat Consumption in Poland.

The aim of the study was to assess the quantity and frequency of meat consumption, especially of red and processed meat, in Poland. The amount of meat consumed was assessed using data from household budget surveys undertaken in 2000, 2010, and 2020. The frequency of consumption was assessed using Food Propensity Questionnaire data from 1831 adults in 2019-2020. Poles consumed 1.35 kg of unprocessed red meat and 1.96 kg of total processed meat per person per month in 2020. The consumption of red meat was lower than in the two previous decades; the consumption of processed meat fluctuated. Pork was the most commonly consumed red meat: 40% of adults consumed pork 2-3 times a week. Beef and other unprocessed red meat were most often consumed less than once a month (29.1%). Processed meat was often consumed: 37.8% of adults ate cold cuts, and 34.9% ate sausages and bacon 2-3 times a week. The consumption of red and processed meat in Poland was high and frequent. In particular, the consumption of processed meat exceeded the recommendations and might increase the risk of chronic diseases. It is necessary to implement activities aimed at reducing the consumption of red and processed meat in Poland.

Prevalence and Sociodemographic Factors Associated with Overweight and Obesity among Adults in Poland: A 2019/2020 Nationwide Cross-Sectional Survey.

Detailed characteristics of the weight status of the population is necessary for the effective prevention of health disorders, e.g., through personalized nutrition education. This study aimed to characterize weight status and identify sociodemographic factors associated with overweight/obesity in a representative sample of adult inhabitants of Poland. This cross-sectional study was carried out from July 2019 to February 2020 on a representative nationwide sample of individuals aged 18+ in Poland. The study consisted of two parts: questionnaire survey and anthropometric measurements. The body mass index was calculated. Data on 1831 adults (50.3% females; mean age 51.7 ± 19.9 years) were included in this analysis. The prevalence of overweight was 42.2% (52.4% among males and 32.0% among females). Of the 1831 participants, 16.4% were obese (16.5% of males and 16.2% of females). Out of 11 factors analyzed in this study, only 5 were significantly associated with overweight/obesity. Males, older participants, occupationally active individuals, those living in rural areas and individuals with at least one chronic disease had greater odds of overweight/obesity. This study demonstrated a high prevalence of overweight and obesity among adults in Poland. This is the most up-to-date representative study on nutritional status carried out before the COVID-19 pandemic.

Assessment of Food Supplement Consumption in Polish Population of Adults.

Introduction: In recent years, there has been a great interest in food supplements. However the use of food supplements can be associated with the risk of excessive intake of vitamins or minerals which may have adverse health effects. Objective: Assessment of food supplement consumption in the adult population in Poland. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted on 1,831 adults (913 men, 918 women) from which 178 (59 men, 119 women) food supplement users were selected. The consumption of food supplements were assessed by the 24-h recall repeated two times and the food propensity questionnaire (FPQ). Results: 10% of the subjects consumed food supplements during the 12 months prior to the study (6% of men, 13% of women) and among users 68% (79% of men and 88% of women) in the day before the survey. Most respondents (44%) used vitamin supplements during the year. More men than women (27 vs. 11%, p = 0.0059) used mineral supplements while more women than men used vitamin and mineral supplements (31 vs. 8%, p = 0.0008). The most frequently supplemented vitamins were: B6 (58%), C (53%), and D (47%) and minerals were: magnesium (43%), zinc (34%), and iron (29%). More women than men supplemented vitamin B6 (71 vs. 40%, p = 0.0012), vitamin D (54 vs. 36%, p = 0.0061) and magnesium (49 vs. 34%, p = 0.0075). Intake of riboflavin, pantothenic acid and manganese were higher in the group of men (respectively: 3.3 mg ± 6.0 vs. 1.4 mg ± 0.3, p = 0.0329; 9.4 mg ± 5.6 vs. 6.1 mg ± 2.0, p = 0.0357; 2.2 mg ± 0.9 vs. 1.3 mg ± 0.6, p = 0.0080) but intake of vitamin D was higher in the group of women (15.7 µg ± 20.4 vs. 33.1 µg ± 26.4, p = 0.0085). In many cases, the intake of vitamins and minerals from food supplements covered the Dietary Reference Values for these nutrients in 100%. In some persons the intake of biotin, vitamin B12, C, B6, riboflavin, niacin was higher than the reference values several dozen times. The intake of vitamins and minerals exceed UL in a few cases relating to vitamin B6 and magnesium. Conclusions: A minority of adults in Poland used food supplements. However, those products were a significant source of vitamins and minerals. Intake of vitamins and minerals from food supplements should be monitored.

Dietary exposure assessments for children in europe (the EXPOCHI project): rationale, methods and design.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: The number of dietary exposure assessment studies focussing on children is very limited. Children are however a vulnerable group due to their higher food consumption level per kg body weight. Therefore, the EXPOCHI project aims 1 to create a relational network of individual food consumption databases in children, covering different geographical areas within Europe, and 2 to use these data to assess the usual intake of lead, chromium, selenium and food colours. METHODS: EXPOCHI includes 14 food consumption databases focussed on children (1-14 y old). The data are considered representative at national/regional level: 14 regions covering 13 countries. Since the aim of the study is to perform long-term exposure assessments, only data derived from 24 hr dietary recalls and dietary records recorded on at least two non-consecutive days per individual were included in the dietary exposure assessments. To link consumption data and concentration data of lead, chromium and selenium in a standardised way, categorisation of the food consumption data was based on the food categorisation system described within the SCOOP Task report 3.2.11. For food colours, the food categorisation system specified in the Council Directive 94/36/EC was used. CONCLUSION: The EXPOCHI project includes a pan-European long-term exposure assessment of lead, chromium, selenium and food colours among children living in 13 different EU countries. However, the different study methods and designs used to collect the data in the different countries necessitate an in-depth description of these different methods and a discussion about the resulting limitations.

Estimation of the dietary acrylamide exposure of the Polish population.

The objective of our study was to determine acrylamide content in the Polish foods and to assess the average dietary acrylamide exposure of the Polish population. We analysed the acrylamide content in Polish food using GCQ-MS/MS method. The daily dietary acrylamide exposure was computed using a probabilistic approach for the total Polish population (1-96 years) and for the following age groups: 1-6, 7-18 and 19-96, using Monte Carlo simulation technique. To assess the Polish population exposure to acrylamide present in food, food consumption data was taken from the 'Household Food Consumption and Anthropometric Survey in Poland'. The mean content of acrylamide in tested 225 samples of foodstuffs taken randomly all over Poland, ranged widely from 11 to 3647 microg/kg of product. For the total Polish population (1-96 years) the estimated acrylamide mean exposure is 0.43 microg/kg of body weight per day. The main sources of dietary acrylamide in Polish population were as follow: bread--supplied 45% of total dietary acrylamide intake, French fries and potato crisps--23%, roasted coffee--19%.