Alcohol consumption in Polish middle and high school pupils--has this rapidly increased during 2009-11?

INTRODUCTION: The dynamic rise of alcohol consumption in adolescents is a matter of serious concern, requiring frequently updated monitoring. By such means, it is possible to optimise preventative measures for dealing with this problem. OBJECTIVE: To estimate the magnitude/amount and frequency of alcohol consumed by middle and high school pupils in Poland, including the circumstances when alcohol was first drunk. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A randomised survey was performed throughout Poland on middle school (junior high school) pupils, (n=9360) in 2009, followed by both middle and high school pupils in 2011 (n=7971). The questionnaire was devised by the Polish Chief Sanitary Inspectorate (GIS). RESULTS: A strikingly sharp increase in alcohol consumption (29%) was observed in subjects between 2009 - 2011. In the latter year, 1 month prior to survey, respectively, 50% and 71% of middle school and high school pupils drank alcohol, and correspondingly, 36% and 63% of these pupils ever became intoxicated/drunk. CONCLUSIONS: 1) Adolescent alcohol consumption increases with age and is highest in girls. Monitoring as well as in-depth analysis thus becomes necessary. 2) Systematic monitoring and analysis of changing healthy lifestyle behaviour should be used for taking the necessary corrective action. This should happen concurrently and consist of planned health education programmes, including health promotion.

Alcohol-related Developmental Origin of Adult Health--population studies in Poland among mothers and newborns (2010-2012).

Alcohol related harm is a global problem for public health where frequent consumption of large amounts of alcohol constitutes a serious health risk, particularly to vulnerable groups such as adolescents, pregnant women and newborns. The epidemiological study on health-lifestyle behaviour, especially alcohol consumption, was performed on a randomised group of post-partum women's health behaviour during pregnancy, covering drinking habits, was undertaken in 2010, 2011 and 2012, (n=8,237) according to the PRAMS model including effects on the foetus and newborn; women being selected from obstetric and gynaecological wards. In this Polish study, only 14% of women did not consume alcohol before becoming pregnant while 15% of women drank alcohol throughout the entire period of pregnancy. In addition, awareness of the harmful effects of alcohol consumed, especially of small amounts, before and during pregnancy is low among Polish women. It is also alarming that more than 55% of physicians who provide care for pregnant women do not discuss with them the harmful effect of alcohol on the organism of the mother and foetus, whereas over 2% of doctors even recommend the consumption of alcohol in pregnancy. With reference to the Barker's Foetal Origin of Diseases Hypothesis, the authors suggest such alcohol drinking behaviour of women during their reproductive ages and while pregnant may exert negative health effects on offspring, mainly in the form of susceptibility to contracting chronic diseases. Such findings pose a risk to future generations in Poland and require remedial/educational action targeted on health care professionals and public like.

Dietary habits and body image perception among Polish adolescents and young adults - a population based study.

Patterns of nutritional behaviours shaped in childhood and during the period of adolescents are mostly continued in adult life, and on these patterns, to a great degree, depends the risk of development of many chronic diseases. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between dietary habits and body image perception among Polish adolescents and young adults. The study group covered 14,511 adolescents/young adults: 10,081 children attending high schools and secondary schools, and 4,428 university students. More than 87% of schoolchildren and students admitted that that they snacked between meals everyday, and 1/3 of them mentioned that they consumed meals at night. As many as 41.40% of schoolchildren, and 46.70% of students experienced the feeling of overeating at least several times a week. Analysis of the respondents BMI showed that in the group of students there were considerably more respondents obese or overweight, compared to the group of schoolchildren. Fear of gaining weight was mentioned by 9.90% of respondents, including 6.90% of those with normal body structure, 1.40% with underweight or overweight, and 0.40% of those obese. As many as 54.60% of the total number of respondents described their body structure as remaining within the normal, 23.7% - as slim, 13.9% reported that they were overweight, 6% - thin, while 1.7% considered themselves as obese. A comprehensive analysis of the data available, including attempts at dieting or gaining weight, indicated that approximately ¾ of obese respondents had undertaken attempts in the past to reduce their body weight. The importance of physical activity and healthy eating habits should be given due attention not only to prevent obesity but also other eating disorder.