Facial perception, self-esteem and psychosocial well-being in patients after nasal surgery due to trauma, cancer and aesthetic needs (cluster analysis of multiple interrelations).

Background: Facial anthropometric measurements in relation to self-esteem and self-perception have become a very popular topic, not only in anthropological and psychological research, but also in plastic reconstructive surgery.Aim: To compare the interrelations between facial perception, self-esteem and psychosocial well-being in patients after nasal surgery due to trauma, cancer and aesthetic needs.Subjects and methods: In total, ninety patients after nasal surgery (due to trauma, cancer and aesthetic reasons), and thirty control persons underwent facial anthropometry and answered questions related to facial perception (FP), self-esteem (SE) and psychosocial well-being (PW). Cluster analysis was performed.Results: Facial measurements were not related to the perception of the whole face in all investigated persons. The whole face and nasal perception were interrelated in the majority of male groups and in the control female group. SE in females from the control and cancer groups was not related to real facial parameters or FP, however, in females after aesthetic surgery it was related to nasal tip protrusion. SE in females after nasal surgery due to trauma was strongly related to FP. SE in almost all groups of males was related to real facial parameters, and in males after aesthetic surgery it was related to FP. PW was mostly linked to SE in males and females after aesthetic surgery, in other groups it was related to FP.Conclusions: FP was most frequently not related to real facial measurements; however, it was related to PW. Patients after aesthetic nasal surgery had specific relations between FP, SE and PW.

Height SDS Changes (ΔhSDS) in Healthy Children from Birth to 18 Years, with Correction Factors for Measurement Intervals of Less than One Year.

BACKGROUND: Growth is volatile and non-linear. Assessing the instantaneous speed of growth (momentary height velocity) depends on the precision and the number of measurements and the duration of the observation period. Measurements at short intervals reflect both the non-linearity of growth and the technical error of measurements (TEM). MATERIAL: We reanalyzed longitudinal measurements of body length at age 0, 3 months, 6 months, 9 months, 12 months, 18 months, and 24 months, from 1879 healthy infants (956 girls, 923 boys) from France (180 girls, 173 boys), Vilnius, Lithuania (507 girls, 507 boys), Lublin, Poland (67 girls, 56 boys), Zürich, Switzerland (94 girls, 102 boys) and Spain (108 girls, 95 boys); and longitudinal measurements of annual body height from age 2 to 18 years from 1528 healthy children and adolescents (774 girls, 754 boys) from France (41 girls, 47 boys), Vilnius, Lithuania (23 girls, 27 boys), Lublin, Poland (70 girls, 58 boys), Zürich, Switzerland (111 girls, 120 boys), Spain (94 girls, 74 boys), the Czech Republic (65 girls, 69 boys), Hungary (316 girls, 320 boys), and Berkeley, USA (54 girls, 39 boys). RESULTS: We calculated age - and sex-specific mean values for height and SD for height separately for each country. In addition, we defined the instantaneous speed of growth by the difference of two measures of hSDS Formulas References A1 , or in the case of multiple measurements, by the slope of the linear regression (ßhSDS(t)). Based on the longitudinal measurements of body length, we present reference values for annual growth velocity given in the form of SD of annual hSDS changes (ΔhSDS), from birth to maturity. Correction factors are added for validating measurements obtained at intervals of less than one year. The correction factors depend on number of measurements, and duration of the observation period.

ACL reconstruction using 5- or 6-strand hamstring autograft provides graft's diameter bigger than 8 mm.

PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to measure the diameters of 5- and 6-strand hamstring autografts and to evaluate the predictability of their thickness by other body size indices. METHODS: Data were collected from 122 skeletally mature adult patients, who had undergone arthroscopic anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction using only 5- or 6-strand hamstring autografts. The diameters of tibial and femoral ends of the grafts were measured with the precision of 0.5 mm. Multiple linear regression was performed to determine the relationship between autograft's thickness and body size indices. RESULTS: The diameter of the femoral end of the 5-strand graft in male/female patients on average was 8.9/8.3 mm, while the femoral end of the 6-strand graft-9.3/8.5 mm (respectively). In 98.4% of the cases, 5- or 6-strand hamstring autografts were significantly thicker than 8 mm. In 5-strand group, a significant positive correlation was detected between the diameter of autograft's femoral end and patient's height (r = 0.55; p < 0.001), weight (r = 0.60; p < 0.001) and BMI (r = 0.43; p < 0.01). The 6-strand group had statistically significant correlations between the femoral end of the graft and height (r = 0.53; p < 0.001), and femoral end of the graft and weight (r = 0.50; p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Hamstring autografts were significantly thicker than 8 mm. Taller and heavier persons tended to have greater diameters of hamstring autografts; however, to better predict the diameter of autograft, body composition should be studied in relation to autograft's size. Preparation of 5- or 6-strand graft (using all the length of hamstring tendons) provides almost 100% of probability to obtain graft's diameter bigger than 8 mm. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III.

Meeting Report: Growth and Social Environment. Proceedings of the 25th Aschauer Soiree, held at Krobielowice, Poland, November 18th 2017.

Twenty-two scientists met at Krobielowice, Poland, to discuss the impact of the social environment, spatial proximity, migration, poverty, but also psychological factors such as body perception and satisfaction, and social stressors such as elite sports, and teenage pregnancies, on child and adolescent growth. The data analysis included linear mixed effects models with different random effects, Monte Carlo analyses, and network simulations. The work stressed the importance of the peer group, but also included historic material, some considerations about body proportions, and growth in chronic liver, and congenital heart disease.

The influence of age, body mass index, waist-to-hip ratio and anti-Mullerian hormone level on clinical pregnancy rates in ART.

The aim of this study was to estimate the influence of age, body mass index, waist-to-hip ratio and anti-Mullerian hormone levels on clinical pregnancies in assisted reproduction technologies (ART). We used the database of the fertility clinic both the in vitro fertilization (IVF) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) units. A total of 1134 treatment cycles from 2013 through 2015 were analyzed. We evaluated clinical pregnancy rate in terms of age, body mass index, waist-to-hip ratio, anti-Mullerian hormone level. The clinical pregnancy rate was 39.9%. The live birth rate was 25.5%. Women who conceived where statistically significantly younger and had lower body mass index. No statistical differences across pregnancy groups were found for waist-to-hip ratio, and anti-Mullerian hormone levels. Low AMH levels do not influence pregnancy rates in younger patients (<36 years).

Body Image Issues In Lithuanian Magazines Aimed For Children And Adolescents In Relation To Body Mass Index And Body Size Perception Of 16-19 Y. Old Girls During The Last 15 Years.

Mass media plays an important role in forming body image and makes the significant impact on body size perception in children and adolescents. The aim of present study was to reveal trends in depiction of body image cues in Lithuanian magazines aimed for children and adolescents in relation to changes of real body mass index (BMI) and body size perception of 16-19 y. old girls in the year 2000 and the 2015. Three popular journals published both in the year 2000 and the 2015, were chosen for in-depth analysis of their contents (the periodicity of different topics was counted and compared). Attention given to a healthy body image has increased and the promotion of especially skinny females' body has decreased during the last 15 years from the dominant type in the year 2000 to depiction of slightly thin or normal body build in the 2015. However, the real BMI of 16-19 y. old Lithuanian girls has significantly increased during the 2000-2015 period (from 20.09 till 21.32 kg/m²; p<0,001). Despite this fact, the older adolescent girls were more satisfied with their own body size and shape in the year 2015 than in the 2000. The present study showed that changing depictions of body image issues in mass media (magazines aimed for adolescent girls) were in parallel with the proper self-esteem of body size in adolescent girls.

FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH CHILDREN'S HEIGHT AND BODY MASS INDEX IN LITHUANIA, 1990-2008.

The aim of the study was to reveal the ethnic and socioeconomic factors associated with height and body mass index (BMI) of children during the period of political and social transition in Lithuania in 1990-2008. Data were derived from the personal health records of 1491 children (762 boys and 729 girls) born in 1990 in Vilnius city and region. Height and BMI from birth up to the age of 18 years were investigated. Children were divided into groups according to their ethnicity, place of residence, father's and mother's occupation and birth order. Height and BMI were compared between the groups; a Bonferroni correction was applied. A multiple linear regression model was used to measure the effects of the independent variables on height and BMI. Girls living in Vilnius city were significantly taller in later life at the ages of 8 and 11 years. Sons of mothers employed as office workers appeared to be significantly taller at the ages of 7, 12, 14 and 15 years compared with the sons of labourers. First-born girls were taller at the age of 7 years than later-born girls of the same age (124.48±5.11 cm and 122.92±5.14 cm, respectively, p<0.001). Later-born children of both sexes had higher BMIs at birth compared with first-borns; however, first-born girls had higher BMIs at the age of 11 years compared with their later-born peers (17.78±2.87 kg/m² and 16.79±2.14 kg/m² respectively, p<0.001). In the multiple linear regression model, the five tested independent variables explained only up to 18% of total variability. Boys were more sensitive to ethnic and socioeconomic factors: ethnicity appeared to be a significant predictor of boys' height at the age of 5 years (p<0.001), while birth order (p<0.001) predicted boys' BMI at birth. In general, ethnicity, place of residence, father's and mother's occupation and birth order were not associated with children's height and BMI in most age groups.

The absence of physiological neonatal weight loss on the 1st-5th day is associated with decreased later physical indices.

AIM: To investigate associations between physiological neonatal weight loss on the 1st-5th day and physical indices from birth up to the age of 17 years. METHODS: Data were derived from the personal health records of healthy, full-term and breastfed children born in Vilnius in 1990 and 1996. Five hundred and thirty children (289 boys and 241 girls) who left a maternity unit on the 1st-5th day after birth were included in the analysis. RESULTS: Infants left the maternity unit on day 4.62 ± 2.33. On the day of leaving a maternity unit, infants lost 105.06 ± 130.48 g (2.85 ± 3.65%) of birth weight. Girls who did not lose or gained weight after birth had already weighed less at birth (3163 ± 547 and 3490 ± 403 g, respectively, p < 0.01) and remained lighter up to the age of 17 years (54.3 ± 8.7 and 60.8 ± 10.1 kg at the age of 17 years respectively, p < 0.001). Girls who did not lose or gained weight after birth were also shorter than those who lost weight (164.3 ± 5.7 and 168.6 ± 5.4 cm at the age of 17 years, respectively, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Girls who did not lose or gained weight immediately after birth tended to remain shorter and lighter during childhood and adolescence. Only a few statistically significant differences were obtained in boys.

Age- and sex-related growth patterns of the craniofacial complex in European children aged 3-6 years.

BACKGROUND: Craniofacial growth changes in young children are not yet completely understood. Up-to-date references for craniofacial measurements are crucial for clinical assessment of orthodontic anomalies, craniofacial abnormalities and subsequent planning of interventions. AIM: To provide normal reference data and to identify growth patterns for craniofacial dimensions of European boys and girls aged 3-6 years. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Using standard anthropometric methodology, body weight, body height and 23 craniofacial measurements were acquired for a cross-sectional sample of 681 healthy children (362 boys and 319 girls) aged 3-6 years from Germany, Italy and Lithuania. Descriptive statistics, correlation coefficients, percentage annual changes and percentage growth rates were used to analyse the dataset. RESULTS: Between the ages of 3-6 years, craniofacial measurements showed age- and sex-related patterns independent from patterns observed for body weight and body height. Sex-related differences were observed in the majority of craniofacial measurements. In both sexes, face heights and face depths showed the strongest correlation with age. Growth patterns differed by craniofacial measurement and can be summarised into eight distinct age- and sex-related patterns. CONCLUSION: This study provided reference data and identified sex- and age-related growth patterns of the craniofacial complex of young European children, which may be used for detailed assessment of normal growth in paediatrics, maxillofacial reconstructive surgery and possibly for forensic age assessment.

Variability in growth tracking is associated with body mass index at 17 years of age.

AIM: Variability in individual growth tracking and its association with body mass index (BMI) in later life remains insufficiently explored. Our aim was to investigate growth tracking variabilities from birth up to the end of growth at 17 years of age and their relationship to BMI. METHODS: Data were obtained from the personal health records of 1492 healthy children - 762 boys and 730 girls - who were born full term in 1990 in the city and surrounding villages of Vilnius in Lithuania. The analysis of growth tracking was performed using two methods: tracing the main percentiles and the changes in standard deviation scores for height and BMI. RESULTS: Most of the boys and girls changed one growth track for height and BMI. However, girls from birth to two years of age and 11-17 years of age were the most likely to change two growth tracks for the growth indices. Children who were underweight at 17 years of age changed significantly more BMI tracks during the first two years of life (2.19 ± 1.21) than overweight and obese 17-year-olds (1.75 ± 1.14). CONCLUSION: This study of 1492 healthy children at 17 years of age showed that great individual variability in the growth tracking of body mass index in early life was associated with being underweight at 17 years of age.

"Proceedings of the 22nd Aschauer Soiree on Growth and Health Screening", held at Altenhof, Germany, November 15th, 2014.

Twenty-five scientists met at Aschauhof, Altenhof, Germany, to discuss various aspects of the complex network of modern health screening, focusing on current scientific topics including medical sciences, human biology, and mathematics; on problems in implementing these results at the practical level of physicians, nurses, technicians, and engineers; and the level of administrative and political decisions. Whereas major scientific advancements have been published in the understanding and the bio-statistical evaluation of anthropometric screening parameters such as serial measurements of height and weight for preventive medical check-ups, BMI screening and surveillance in schools, etc., the implementation of these advancements into current health screening concepts, strategies and decision-making is poor. Fear of discrimination, misperception of body image, behavioural responses and political concerns, meanwhile dominate and negatively interfere with the implementation of recent scientific results into public health screening concepts and practices.

Maternal caloric restriction prior to pregnancy increases the body weight of the second-generation male offspring and shortens their longevity in rats.

Maternal undernutrition can affect offspring's physical status and various health parameters that might be transmittable across several generations. Many studies have focused on undernutrition throughout pregnancy, whereas maternal undernutrition prior to pregnancy is not sufficiently studied. The objective of our study was to explore the effects of food restriction prior to and during pregnancy on body weight and longevity of the second generation offspring. Adult female Wistar rats ("F0" generation) were 50% food restricted for one month prior to pregnancy (pre-pregnancy) or during pre-pregnancy and pregnancy. The third group was fed normally (control). The first generation offspring were normally fed until the 6(th) month of age to produce the second generation offspring; namely, the first-generation female rats were mated with male breeders from outside the experiment. The second generation offspring thus obtained were observed until natural death (up to 36 months). Compared to the controls, the second-generation male offspring whose "grandmothers (F0 females)" undernourished only during pre-pregnancy were significantly heavier from the 8(th) month of age, whereas no significant weight difference was found in the male offspring whose "grandmothers" were food-restricted during pre-pregnancy and pregnancy. Shorter lifespan was observed in the second-generation male offspring of "grandmothers" that were food-restricted either during pre-pregnancy or during pre-pregnancy and pregnancy. By contrast, no differences in body weight and lifespan were observed in all second-generation female offspring. In conclusion, maternal caloric restriction prior to pregnancy increases the body weight and shortens the longevity of the second-generation male offspring, indicating the sex-dependent transgenerational effect of maternal caloric restriction.

Eye morphometry, body size, and flexibility parameters in myopic adolescents.

The aim of this study was to investigate the anatomical and physiological ocular parameters in adolescents with myopia and to examine the relations between refractive error (SER), ocular biometry, body size and flexibility parameters in myopic adolescents. A cross-sectional study of 184 myopic adolescents, aged 15 to 19 years was conducted. Refractive error and corneal curvature measures of the eye were evaluated using an autorefractometer under cycloplegia. Central corneal thickness was determined by contact pachymetry. The ocular axial length, anterior and vitreous chamber depth, and lens thickness were measured using A-scan biometry ultrasonography. Height and body weight were measured according to a standardized protocol. Body mass index (BMI) was subsequently calculated. Beighton scale was used to measure joint flexibility. Body stature was positively correlated with ocular axial length (r = 0.39, p < 0.001) and vitreous chamber depth (r = 0.37, p < 0.001). There was a negative correlation between height and SER (r = - 0.46; p < 0.001). Beighton score and body weight had weak positive correlations with axial length and vitreous chamber depth, and a weak negative correlation with SER. A significantly more negative SER was observed in the increased joint mobility group (p < 0.05; U = 5065.5) as compared to normal joint mobility group: mean - 4.37 ± 1.85 D (median - 4.25; IQR - 6.25 to - 3.25 D) and mean - 3.72 ± 1.66 D (median - 3.50; IQR - 4.75 to - 2.25 D) respectively. There was a strong association between height and axial length, as well as SER. Higher degree of myopia significantly correlated with greater Beighton score (increased joint mobility).

Aesthetic Evaluation of Facial Scars in Patients Undergoing Surgery for Basal Cell Carcinoma: A Prospective Longitudinal Pilot Study and Validation of POSAS 2.0 in the Lithuanian Language.

Facial basal cell carcinoma (BCC) surgery enhances the quality of life (QoL) but leaves patients with inferior QoL, presumably caused by scarring, emphasizing the need to understand post-surgery aesthetic satisfaction. This study aimed to validate the Lithuanian version of the Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale (POSAS) 2.0 and utilise it to identify scar evaluation differences and correlations among POSAS scores and specific aesthetic facial regions, age, gender, surgery types, and short- and long-term QoL. Employing a prospective longitudinal design, 100 patients with facial scars after surgical BCC removal were enrolled. The validation phase confirmed the translated POSAS 2.0 psychometric properties, while the pilot phase used statistical analyses to compare scores among demographic and clinical groups and evaluate correlations between scar assessment and QoL. The findings indicate that the translated Lithuanian version of POSAS 2.0 exhibits good psychometric properties, revealing insights into aesthetic satisfaction with post-surgical facial scars and their impact on QoL. The Lithuanian version of the POSAS 2.0 was established as a valid instrument for measuring post-surgical linear scars. QoL with scar assessment statistically significantly correlates, 6 months after surgery, with worse scores, particularly notable among women, younger patients, and those with tumours in the cheek region.

The legal and ethical framework governing body donation in Europe - 2nd update on current practice.

BACKGROUND: In 2008, members of the TEPARG provided first insights into the legal and ethical framework governing body donation in Europe. In 2012, a first update followed. This paper is now the second update on this topic and tries to extend the available information to many more European countries. METHODS: For this second update, we have asked authors from all European countries to contribute their national perspectives. By this enquiry, we got many contributions compiled in this paper. When we did not get a personal contribution, one of us (EB) searched the internet for relevant information. RESULTS: Perspectives on the legal and ethical framework governing body donation in Europe. CONCLUSIONS: We still see that a clear and rigorous legal framework is still unavailable in several countries. We found national regulations in 18 out of 39 countries; two others have at least federal laws. Several countries accept not only donated bodies but also utilise unclaimed bodies. These findings can guide policymakers in reviewing and updating existing laws and regulations related to body donation and anatomical studies.

Regional references vs. international standards for assessing weight and length by gestational age in Lithuanian neonates.

Introduction: There is no global consensus as to which standards are the most appropriate for the assessment of birth weight and length. The study aimed to compare the applicability of regional and global standards to the Lithuanian newborn population by sex and gestational age, based on the prevalence of small or large for gestational age (SGA/LGA). Materials and Methods: Analysis was performed on neonatal length and weight data obtained from the Lithuanian Medical Birth Register from 1995 to 2015 (618,235 newborns of 24-42 gestational weeks). Their distributions by gestation and sex were estimated using generalized additive models for location, scale, and shape (GAMLSS), and the results were compared with the INTERGROWTH-21st (IG-21) standard to evaluate the prevalence of SGA/LGA (10th/90th centile) at different gestational ages. Results: The difference in median length at term between the local reference and IG-21 was 3 cm-4 cm, while median weight at term differed by 200 g. The Lithuanian median weight at term was higher than in IG-21 by a full centile channel width, while the median length at term was higher by two channel widths. Based on the regional reference, the prevalence rates of SGA/LGA were 9.7%/10.1% for boys and 10.1%/9.9% for girls, close to the nominal 10%. Conversely, based on IG-21, the prevalence of SGA in boys/girls was less than half (4.1%/4.4%), while the prevalence of LGA was double (20.7%/19.1%). Discussion: Regional population-based neonatal references represent Lithuanian neonatal weight and length much more accurately than the global standard IG-21 which provides the prevalence rates for SGA/LGA that differ from the true values by a factor of two.

Neonatal head circumference by gestation reflects adaptation to maternal body size: comparison of different standards.

Neonatal head circumference (HC) not only represents the brain size of Homo sapiens, but is also an important health risk indicator. Addressing a lack of comparative studies on head size and its variability in term and preterm neonates from different populations, we aimed to examine neonatal HC by gestation according to a regional reference and a global standard. Retrospective analysis of data on neonatal HC obtained from the Lithuanian Medical Birth Register from 2001 to 2015 (423 999 newborns of 24-42 gestational weeks). The varying distribution by gestation and sex was estimated using GAMLSS, and the results were compared with the INTERGROWTH-21st standard. Mean HC increased with gestation in both sexes, while its fractional variability fell. The 3rd percentile matched that for INTERGROWTH-21st at all gestations, while the 50th and 97th percentiles were similar up to 27 weeks, but a full channel width higher than INTERGROWTH-21st at term. INTERGROWTH-21st facilitates the evaluation of neonatal HC in early gestations, while in later gestations, the specific features of neonatal HC of a particular population tend to be more precisely represented by regional references.

[Body composition and polycystic ovary syndrome]. / Kuno sandara ir policistiniu kiausidziu sindromas.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common endocrine metabolic disorders of reproductive age women. The main signs of PCOS are as follows: androgen excess, menstrual dysfunction, infertility, obesity, and other numerous health problems. By different authors, the disorder affects 2-28% of reproductive age women. Polycystic ovary syndrome is characterized by presence of hyperandrogenism, anovulation, menstrual cycle disturbances, also by the other metabolic changes. The lack of well-defined and universally accepted diagnostic criteria makes identification of this syndrome confusing to many clinicians. There are only few studies concerning the correlations between phenotypic expression, body composition and PCOS, and relationship with the processes of growth and sexual maturation and various environmental factors (nutrition, physical activity, stress, and other factors). There is a lack of knowledge about further PCOS development and prognosis, considering the individual and environmental factors. Variation in human body composition and shape ranges considerably: many body size and shape indices (height, weight, body composition, and proportions) are the result of long evolution process and adaptation to environment. Obviously, the morphological body parameters, physiological and biochemical indices are complex and compound the interdependent system. By current literature, more than 50% of women are overweight or obese. If waist circumference and waist-to-hip ratio of women with PCOS increase, reproductive function and metabolic state of a woman is altered more than in cases when there are no changes in these parameters. The investigations of the strongest sexual dimorphism sign--the subcutaneous and visceral fat topography--showed that women with PCOS have greater adipose tissue mass in the areas of the abdomen, waist, and upper arms than control women. It is known that some indices of sexual dimorphism may be considered as the morphological signs of hyperandrogenism, for example handgrip, waist-to-hip ratio, hand and foot length, 2nd-to-4th digit (finger length) ratio (2D:4D), certain facial characteristics. Only 2D:4D ratio was investigated for the women with PCOS. The early changes of certain morphological and other indices of physical status could help to predict some metabolic characteristics, development of PCOS, and outcome of this syndrome.

Factors influencing permanent teeth eruption. Part one--general factors.

Variation in the normal eruption of teeth is a common finding, but significant deviation from established norms should alert the clinician to take some diagnostic procedures in order to evaluate patient health and development. Disturbance in tooth eruption time could be a symptom of general condition or indication of altered physiology and craniofacial development. The aim of this review is to analyze general factors that could influence permanent teeth eruption. The articles from 1965 to 2009 in English related to topic were identified. 84 articles were selected for data collection. Although permanent teeth eruption is under significant genetic control, various general factors such as gender, socioeconomic status, craniofacial morphology, body composition can influence this process. Most significant disturbance in teeth emergence is caused by systemic diseases and syndromes.

Body image issues in Lithuanian females before and during pregnancy.

ABSTRACT: There is a risk that during pregnancy a woman's changing physique might result in stronger concerns about her appearance and may lead to negative consequences both for mother and foetus. The aim of the present study was to assess women's self-esteem, body image and weight control before and during pregnancy. A cross-sectional study was carried out at the Centre of Obstetrics and Gynaecology of Vilnius University Hospital. In total, 234 pregnant women were investigated. The Self-esteem was measured by Rosenberg's scale (1965), while the attitude towards the body size - by Stunkard's figure rating scale (1983). When rating their actual body size and the preferred body shape using Stunkard's figures, the investigated females chose, on average, 3.40 and 2.93 (respectively) size figures for the period before pregnancy (p < 0.05), while they picked 4.38 and 3.44 (respectively) figures during pregnancy (p < 0.05). Women's efforts not to gain weight during pregnancy were not determined by their opinion of their body size during pregnancy (rs(232) = 0.136,p > 0.05). Regardless of their body shape assessment during pregnancy, pregnant women did not restrict their diet (rs(232) = 0.064,p > 0.05). Conclusions: during pregnancy women assessed their weight gain adequately, pregnant women chose larger body sizes as an ideal physique if compared to the ones of the period before pregnancy, women's efforts not to gain weight during pregnancy were not determined by their body size perception during pregnancy, pregnant women, despite their body shape assessment during pregnancy, did not restrict their diet, i.e. pregnant women became psychologically adapted to their body changes during pregnancy, and the maternity became a much more important factor than the beauty ideals associated with slender figures.