Activity-Inactivity Patterns, Screen Time, and Physical Activity: The Association with Overweight, Central Obesity and Muscle Strength in Polish Teenagers. Report from the ABC of Healthy Eating Study.

Today, the time spent actively is increasingly being replaced by screen-based media, although in some teenagers, a high level of physical activity (PA) and longer time spent in front of a screen (screen time, ST) may coexist as a mixed behavioral pattern. This study aimed to examine the association of the pattern created as activity (low/high ST with high PA) and inactivity patterns (low/high ST with low PA) with overweight, central obesity, and muscle strength in Polish teenagers taking into consideration socioeconomic and demographic factors. Cross-sectional data were collected from elementary school children (n = 1567), aged 11-13 years. Height, weight, waist circumference, and handgrip strength were measured. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated as the overweight measure, and the waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) was calculated as the central obesity measure. Data on ST, PA, socioeconomic status, demographics, and nutrition knowledge were collected by a questionnaire. Activity-inactivity patterns were defined by an a priori approach. Multivariate logistic regression modelling was applied. The most active pattern (lowST-highPA) was found in 17% of the total sample. Teenagers with the most inactive pattern (highST-lowPA) had over four times higher chance of general overweight. No association between WHtR ≥0.5 and highST-highPA pattern was found. Higher muscle strength (>1 SD) was associated only with high physical activity. Urban residence or lower socioeconomic status increased adherence to the most inactive pattern. From a public health perspective, implementing interventions promoting active patterns in 11-13-year-old teenagers is important for obesity prevention and enhanced physical fitness, especially in girls, teenagers living in urban areas, and from families with lower socio-economic status.

Reproducibility of a Short-Form, Multicomponent Dietary Questionnaire to Assess Food Frequency Consumption, Nutrition Knowledge, and Lifestyle (SF-FFQ4PolishChildren) in Polish Children and Adolescents.

The aim of the study was to assess the reproducibility of a short-form, multicomponent dietary questionnaire (SF-FFQ4PolishChildren) in Polish children and adolescents. The study involved 437 children (6-10 years old) and 630 adolescents (11-15 years old) from rural and urban areas of Poland. The self-administered questionnaire was related to nutrition knowledge, dietary habits, active/sedentary lifestyle, self-reported weight and height, and socioeconomic data. The questionnaire was completed with a two-week interval-twice by parents for their children (test and retest for children), twice by adolescents themselves (adolescent's test and retest) and once by adolescents' parents (parent's test). The strength of agreement measured using the kappa statistic was interpreted as follows: 0-0.20 slight, 0.21-0.40 fair, 0.41-0.60 moderate, 0.61-0.80 good, and 0.81-1.00 excellent. Regarding the frequency of consumption of food items and meals, kappa statistics were 0.46-0.81 (the lowest: fruit/mixed fruit and vegetable juices; the highest: Energy drinks) in test-retest for children, 0.30-0.54 (fruit/mixed fruit and vegetable juices; breakfast, respectively) in adolescent's test-retest, 0.27-0.56 (the lowest: Sweets, fruit, dairy products; the highest: Breakfast) in adolescent's test and parent's test. Lower kappa statistics were found for more frequently consumed foods (juices, fruit, vegetables), higher kappa statistics were found for rarely consumed foods (energy drinks, fast food). Across study groups, kappa statistics for diet quality scores were 0.31-0.55 (pro-healthy diet index, pHDI) and 0.26-0.45 (non-healthy diet index, nHDI), for active/sedentary lifestyle items they were 0.31-0.72, for components of the Family Affluence Scale (FAS) they were 0.55-0.93, for BMI categories (based on self-reported weight and height) they were 0.64-0.67, for the nutrition knowledge (NK) of adolescents the kappa was 0.36, for the nutrition knowledge of children's parents it was 0.62. The Spearman's correlations for diet quality scores were 0.52-0.76 (pHDI) and 0.53-0.83 (nHDI), for screen time score they were 0.45-0.78, for physical activity score they were 0.51-0.77, for the FAS score they were 0.90-0.93, and for the NK score they were 0.68-0.80. The questionnaire can be recommended to evaluate dietary and lifestyle behaviors among children and adolescents.

Assessment of nutritional behaviour of children aged 3-7 from selected kindergartens in Biala Podlaska county

Background: Children constitute a group that is particularly susceptible to the effects of improper nutrition. The knowledge of parents and guardians about proper nutrition affects their children's nutritional habits and behaviours. Children develop their patterns of nutritional behaviours on the basis of their observations of nutritional habits of adults, nutrition trends and nutritional education. Objective: The aim of the study was to assess nutritional behaviours of children aged 3-7 from selected kindergartens in Biala Podlaska county. Material and methods: The research included 549 children, i.e. 258 girls (47%) and 291 boys (53%) aged 3-7 years. The study was conducted in 2015 within the county health prevention and promotion programme titled "Together for heart" in several selected kindergartens in Biala Podlaska county. A questionnaire prepared by the authors and distributed among parents of the examined children was used in the study. The questions regarded the frequency and number of meals, types of products consumed between the meals and the frequency of consuming fruit and vegetables, sweets, fizzy drinks, fast foods and milk or dairy products (natural yoghurt, kefir, cottage cheese). Differences between the responses to the questions in groups divided according to sex were analysed with the use of χ2 test (G function). Results: It was revealed that 219 girls (84.9%) and 273 boys (93.8%) had at least four meals a day while 23.7% of the children left home without breakfast. The main meal, i.e. dinner, was eaten by 227 girls and 256 boys every day, which constituted 88% of each gender group. In turn, 20 girls and 27 boys (8% and 9% of the study participants, respectively) regularly skipped supper. The most common products consumed between the main meals were fruit and vegetables (eaten by 44% of the girls and 39% of the boys). It was declared that dairy products (milk, natural yoghurt and/or kefir) were consumed once a week or less frequently by 43% of the girls and 45% of the boys. Cottage cheese was equally rarely eaten, i.e. 48% of the girls and 44% of the boys reported having it once a week or less frequently. The study also revealed insufficient consumption of fish. It was eaten once a week or less frequently by 60% of the girls and 50% of the boys. Conclusions: The assessment of nutritional behaviours revealed mistakes which may negatively affect proper development if they are repeated. It seems necessary to implement nutritional education among children and their parents in order to shape proper nutritional behaviours and correct mistakes.

Assessment of nutritional behaviours of children aged 7-12 attending to primary schools in Biala Podlaska, Poland

Background: Children and youth constitute a group that is particularly prone to the effects of improper diet. In the puberty period, numerous significant lifestyle choices are made, for instance regarding particular nutritional behaviours which may be repeated later in life and may determine the state of health. Objective: The aim of the study was to assess nutritional behaviours of children aged 7-12 attending to primary schools in Biala Podlaska county (Eastern Region of Poland). Material and methods: The study included 1643 children aged 7-12 from primary schools in Biala Podlaska county. The research was carried out in 2015. The questions included in the questionnaire prepared by the authors regarded the number and regularity of meals, the types of products (mainly fruit and vegetables, sweets, fizzy drinks, fast food, milk and dairy products) and the frequency of consuming them during these meals and between them. Differences between the responses to the questions in groups divided according to gender were analysed with the use of χ2 test (G function). Results: It was revealed that 672 girls (81.7%) and 633 boys (71.9%) had at least four meals a day, while as many as 23% of the girls and boys did not have breakfast before going to school and 33.5% of the girls and 37.4% of the boys did not take lunch to school. The main meal (dinner) was eaten every day by 652 girls (78.5%) and 605 boys (74.5%). Products most commonly eaten between the main meals were fruit and vegetables (51% of the girls and 42.4% of the boys), while sweets were consumed 2-3 times a week by 37.2% of the girls and 36.1% of the boys. The consumption of dairy products (milk, natural yoghurt and/or kefir) once a week or less frequently was declared by 53% of the girls and boys. Conclusions: Assessment of nutritional behaviours revealed numerous mistakes which may negatively affect the development of the study participants. In the light of the above findings, it seems necessary to provide children and their parents with nutritional education in order to develop proper nutritional behaviours and correct the mistakes.

Body composition and fatty tissue distribution in women with various menstrual status

Background: Menopause, also referred to as climacterium, is a period of multiple changes in the structure and functions of a woman organism. Objective: Determination of differences in body composition and fatty tissue distribution in women from groups discriminated based on their menstrual status. Material and Methods: The survey covered 312 women aged 38-75 years. Menstrual status of the surveyed women was established according to WHO guidelines based on answers to a questionnaire, and three groups were discriminated: women in the premenopausal period (group 1), in the perimenopausal period (group 2), and in the postmenopausal period (group 3). The following anthropomological measurements were taken: body height, body mass, waist and hip circumference, and thickness of 6 skinfolds. Their results enabled evaluating the somatic built of women in the separated groups. Fatty tissue distribution was determined based on TER distribution index calculated as a ratio of the sum of trunk skinfolds (TSS) to the sum of extremity skinfolds (ESS). Body composition of the women, including percentage of body fat, lean body mass, soft tissue mass, and total body water, was assessed using an IOI 353 analyzer by JAWON MEDICAL. In addition, percentages of women with underweight, normal content of fatty tissue, and these with overweight and obesity were calculated. The WHR index was computed in the case of obese women. Results: The highest values of body mass, hip circumference and most of the skinfolds were determined in the perimenopausal group, whereas the postmenopausal women were characterized by the highest percentage of body fat (PBF) and by the lowest contents of lean tissue, soft tissue, and total water content in the body. The highest percentage of obese women was found in the postmenopausal group, including 40% of them having visceral type obesity. The occurrence of the menopause contributed to changes in fatty tissue distribution, causing its shift from extremities toward the trunk. Conclusions: The study showed differences in the somatic built and body composition in groups of women distinguished based on their menstrual status.

Evaluation of the Usability of Selected Questionnaires Assessing Physical Activity in the Prophylaxis of Cardiovascular Diseases.

BACKGROUND: The main health problem of the Polish population is posed by cardiovascular diseases (CDVD), coronary artery disease (CAD) in particular. Respectively higher physical activity linked with energy expenditure of at least 1000 kcal/week may significantly reduce the risk of CAD development. The protective effect of exercise applies not only to persons from high-risk groups and with diagnosed chronic diseases that increase the risk of the incidence of atherosclerosis and its complications, but also to healthy individuals. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the usability of the Seven-Day Physical Activity Recall (SDPAR) and International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) in research on the correlation between physical activity and risk factors of cardiovascular diseases. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A screening survey, conducted in 2012, included students (n = 340) of the Division of the Academy of Physical Education in Biala Podlaska, aged 18-29 years. Total cholesterol, triglycerides and glucose levels were analyzed, and arterial blood pressure and heart rate were measured. The physical activity of the students was estimated using IPAQ and SDPAR questionnaires. The effect of physical activity on the biochemical blood markers, arterial blood pressure and heart rate was analyzed in groups differing in weekly energy expenditure (WEE). RESULTS: Along with increasing WEE values, calculated with IPAQ and SDPAR questionnaires, tangible descending tendencies were observed in cholesterol concentration in both genders. Significant differences were demonstrated in mean values of the resting heart rate between terciles of women ranked according to the increasing WEE values calculated using IPAQ (p < 0.05) and SDPAR (p < 0.01). Significant (p < 0.05) negative correlations were demonstrated only between the heart rate of women and WEE value calculated with IPAQ (r = -0.223) and SDPAR (r = -0.238). CONCLUSIONS: Beneficial changes were observed in the blood lipid profile and in mean resting heart rate values as affected by the higher energy expenditure. The IPAQ and SDPAR may be applied to assess the level of physical activity; however the SDPAR seems to be a more useful tool in CDVD prevention screening.

The prevalence of metabolic syndrome among students with different levels of physical activity

Civilisation changes helped to improve living conditions in societies but at the same time they posed numerous new threats to the health of a contemporary human. The aim of the work was to define differences in the prevalence of metabolic syndrome risk factors in male and female sports university students with different levels of physical activity. The study included 164 female and 174 male first-year students of the Department of Physical Education and Sport in Biala Podlaska. Body weight and height, circumference of waist, hips, arm and calf as well as elbow and knee breadth were measured. BMI and WHR were calculated. Fat tissue was assessed and the levels of glucose, lipid profile, pulse and blood pressure were taken. Moreover, physical activity and a diet of students were determined. Female and male students of physical education and sport demonstrated a higher level of daily physical activity, which was statistically significant compared to other students. However, different levels of physical activity did not influence their diet or the results of their biochemical and physiological tests. Healththreatening factors were noted in a significant number of the examined women and men(AU)

Los cambios sociales han ayudado a mejorar las condiciones de vida de la comunidad, pero al mismo tiempo han causado la aparición de muchos riesgos para la salud del hombre, los cuales antes habian sido desconocidos. El propósito de este estudio es identificar las diferencias en la frecuencia de los factores causantes del síndrome metabólico, específicas para estudiantes de ambos sexos de una universidad de deporte, contienen actividad física. Se han examinado a 164 chicas y 174 chicos de primer curso de la universidad de deporte en Biala Podlaska. Han sido pesados, y su altura, cintura, caderas, brazos, piernas y el ancho y la base del brazo y la rodilla han sido medidas. Se ha calculado el tamaño del IMC y la RCC. Se ha estimado la cantidad de grasa corporal y se ha determinado el nivel de glucosa, perfil lipídico, la frecuencia cardíaca y la presión arterial. Se ha especificado la actividad física y la dieta de los estudiantes. Los estudiantes de educación física y deporte, en relación con los estudiantes de otras carreras, se caracterizan por un nivel significativamente más alto de la actividad física diaria. Por el contrario, los diferentes niveles de la actividad física no se reflejan en sus hábitos alimenticios, ni en los resultados de la investigación bioquímica y fisiológica. En una gran cantidad de mujeres y hombres encuestados se han observado factores de riesgo para la salud(AU)

Body fat-based weight norms for children and youths.

INTRODUCTION: The issue of establishing reference values, especially of those pertaining to somatic features, is of importance for an assessment of normal growth. It was assumed that norms ought to reflect not the actually existing status but the recommended one. Thus, weight-height relations, including body mass index (BMI), ought to be established for that fraction of the general population, in which body fat content is within physiologically acceptable limits. THE AIM OF THE STUDY: To construct weight-to-height percentile norms for boys and girls aged 7-20 years. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A cohort of healthy boys (n=1282) and girls (n=1150) attending schools in the Eastern regions of Poland participated in the study. Their body height, body mass and body fat content were determined, the latter by skinfold (Slaughter's method) or bioimpedance measurements. The data for constructing normal values of body fat content were compiled from diverse sources so as to associate them smoothly with the normal values for adults. RESULTS: By applying the proposed lower and upper limits of body fat, 1007 boys (78.5%) and 581 girls (50.5%) with acceptable fat content were selected for constructing percentile norms of body mass expected for height, as well as for BMI. CONCLUSIONS: The existing norms for BMI of children and youths, also the Polish ones, differ from each other, as these were not based on data from subjects with acceptable body fat and assessing body fat content from BMI is known to be markedly biased. Unlike BMI, the presented percentile weight-for-height norms are age-independent in the range 7-20 years and are thus much easier to use. Those norms may be recommended as a tool in assessing the course of normal growth, as well as in developmental disorders and possible clinical intervention.

[Nutritional patterns versus BMI values in rural adolescents]. / Sposób zywienia a wartosc BMI u dorastajacej mlodziezy wiejskiej.

The study was aimed at determining relationships between the daily intake of food rations, energy consumption and energy balance in adolescents differing in the BMI value. The experiment covered 280 girls and 305 boys aged 10-15 years. Somatic traits were evaluated based on measurements of body height, body mass and thickness of skinfolds (arm triceps, subscapular, abdominal), whereas energy consumption was assayed by means of a triple 24-h dietary recall interview carried out prior to examinations. Results of energy consumption assays were presented as a per cent of recommended daily intakes. In respective age categories, the children were divided into three groups based on their BMI values, i.e. thin (34.9%), normal (47.7%) and those with overweight and obesity (17.4%). A negative relationships was demonstrated between the daily frequency of food ration intake and BMI value, i.e. the thin children (BMI < or =25 ptc) were observed to more frequently consume four of five meals a day, whereas the overweight and obese children (BMI >75 ptc)--three meals a day. The study indicates also that the declared energy consumption was not always in compliance with its actual intake, namely the mean daily consumption of energy in the thin children was higher than in the children with overweight and obesity.

The effect of socio-economic and demographic determinants on the pattern of consumption of rural adolescents.

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of selected socio-economic and demographic determinants (the number of children in the family, father's education, standard of living, sex and age) on the pattern of consumption in adolescents occupying rural areas of the central-eastern Poland. The study included 564 boys and 548 girls 10-15-years-old. Data on the socio-economic status and dietary habits were collected by means of a diagnostic survey. Dietary habits were determined based on a single 24-hour recall. Results obtained were compared with the RDA for Polish people. The effect of socio-economic and demographic determinants on the pattern of consumption were mogenous clusters each of which corresponded to a specific pattern of consumption. It was demonstrated that standard of living and the father's education exerted a significant effect on the pattern of consumption in adolescents examined. This effect was hot indicated for the number of children in the family, age and sex.

[Calcium and phosphorous content in daily rations of adolescents from Biala Podlaska District]. / Zawartosc wapnia i fosforu w calodziennych racjach pokarmowych dzieci i mlodziezy z Powiatu Bialskiego.

The aim of the study was to assess the Ca and P intake and Ca:P ratio in daily rations of boys and girls aged 10-15 years. Calcium intake amounted to 51% and 65% of safe intake level of RDA for 10-12 and 13-15 years old boys and 43% and 44% for girls, respectively. Phosphorus intake exceeded the RDA and amounted to 141-165% for boys and 122-133% for girls. It is suggested that persisting disproportions in Ca:P ratio (> or = 1:1,26) in daily rations may have disadvantageous effect on Ca metabolism, particularly in girls. A permanent nutritional education of children stressing the impact of proper nutrition on health, seem indispensable.