Exploring the Impact of Novel Anti-Cancer Therapies on Jaw Osteonecrosis and Other Bones: A Comprehensive Review.

Osteonecrosis is a debilitating condition characterized by the loss of blood supply to the bones, leading to bone death. This condition can impact various bones, including the jaw, which significantly affects patients' quality of life by causing difficulties in swallowing, feeding, chewing, and speaking, along with swollen, painful mucous membranes and chronic sinusitis. Osteonecrosis can arise due to treatment with antiresorptive drugs. However, there is a growing number of reports of osteonecrosis following novel targeted anti-cancer treatments, such as tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) and biological therapies. The pathogenesis of osteonecrosis is linked to the side effects of the antiangiogenic mechanisms of these medications, leading to a disrupted blood flow. Our review aims to examine recent insights into osteonecrosis triggered by new anti-cancer drugs. Most reports focus on the osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ); however, we discovered that some authors have described cases of osteonecrosis affecting the femoral head or elbow following novel anti-cancer treatments. Prevention is a key component in managing osteonecrosis. Therefore, a comprehensive risk assessment should always be performed before and during anti-cancer therapy.

A Comparative Analysis of Osteochondritis Dissecans and Avascular Necrosis: A Comprehensive Review.

Musculoskeletal disorders, standing as the fifth leading cause of disability-adjusted life years globally, present significant challenges in orthopedics. Osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) and avascular necrosis (AVN) are distinct but closely related conditions within this spectrum, impacting patients' quality of life with pain, limited mobility, and dysfunction. OCD, involving cartilage and bone detachment in joints, predominantly affects young athletes, but its exact etiology and optimal management remain subjects of ongoing research. Conversely, AVN, marked by bone tissue death due to compromised blood supply, is linked to systemic factors like corticosteroid use and traumatic injuries. Diagnosis for both conditions relies on radiography and magnetic resonance imaging. Conservative treatment for AVN includes the use of a cane or crutches, pharmacological therapy, or physical therapy. On the other hand, in OCD, the primary approach is activity/sports restriction. Surgical treatment options for AVN patients encompass core decompression, bone grafting, or, in the most advanced cases, total hip arthroplasty. OCD may be surgically treated through subchondral drilling or fixation of unstable lesions. Advanced cases of OCD involve cartilage salvage with resurfacing techniques. The presentation of differences between these conditions enhances our understanding, facilitating improved diagnosis and management strategies.

Osteonecrosis Related to Steroid and Alcohol Use-An Update on Pathogenesis.

Osteonecrosis (ON) is usually a progressive disease that negatively affects the quality of life and leads to significant disability. Most patients are aged 30-50 years and require multiple surgical interventions throughout their lifetime. In non-traumatic ON, alcohol abuse and corticosteroids are involved in up to 80% of cases. This narrative review aims to summarize data on their impact on healthy bone and the development of pathophysiological processes leading to ON development. We conducted EMBASE and MEDLINE database reviews to identify relevant research. We found that for both agents, the risk was time and dose-dependent. ON in alcohol and steroid use shared many pathogenetic mechanisms leading to the development of necrosis, including increased adipogenesis, the induction of chronic inflammation, vascular alterations, and impaired bone-cell differentiation. Because both alcohol and steroid use are modifiable factors, both general physicians and orthopedic surgeons should encourage patients to limit ethanol intake and avoid corticosteroid overuse. In the presence of ON, because both alcohol- and steroid-induced disease tend to be multifocal, addiction treatment and limiting steroid use are justified.

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on physical activity, life satisfaction, anxiety, stress perception and coping strategies in student-athletes: A comparison between Belarus and Poland-countries with a different approach of anti-pandemic measures.

Background: More than two years of the COVID-19 pandemic has changed lives of people around the world and had a profound impact on the field of sports. This has resulted in decreased physical activity (PA) and changes in mental health. The goal was to assess self-reported physical activity, life satisfaction, perceived stress, choice of coping strategies and their correlations among student athletes from two neighboring countries facing different anti-pandemic strategies. Methods: Cross-sectional surveys using standardized questionnaires: International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form (IPAQ-SF), Satisfaction With Life Scale (SWLS), State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10), and Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced (Mini-COPE) to compare 600 students from Physical Education and Sports departments of universities in Belarus (n = 333), where restrictions were found to be less stringent than in neighboring Poland (n = 267). Results: Minor differences in physical activities between both countries indicate that student athletes have adapted fairly quickly and found ways to keep their PA at a fairly high level. Nevertheless, higher PA was reported in the group of student athletes from Belarus. PA levels correlated with life satisfaction, anxiety and stress levels. Female students from Poland reported lower satisfaction with their lives. Their perception of stress was twice as high as that of their Belarusian counterparts. The most common coping strategy in both groups was active coping. Polish respondents less frequently used strategies of avoiding problems and seeking outside support. Conclusion: The level of physical activity and well-being of student athletes are associated with increased mental health and coping with stress. They also contribute to prevention of affective disorders during the COVID-19 pandemic. Moreover, it is dependent on the country's anti-pandemic policies.

Does Diabetes Mellitus Increase the Risk of Avascular Osteonecrosis? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Avascular osteonecrosis (AVN) is caused by the disrupted blood supply to the bone. Most AVN cases occur in the femoral head, but other sites might be affected as well, including the jaw or distal bones of the extremities. Previous studies suggested that diabetes could increase the risk of AVN of the jaw, but the relationship between diabetes and AVN in other bone sites is unclear. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to summarize the evidence from studies that had reported on the occurrence of AVN in sites other than the jaw, depending on the diagnosis of diabetes. Overall, we included 6 observational studies carried out in different populations: primary or secondary AVN of the femoral head, Takayasu arteritis, general population, kidney transplant recipients, systemic lupus erythematosus, and primary brain tumors. A random-effects meta-analysis showed that the risk of AVN in sites other than the jaw was non-significantly increased in patients with diabetes (odds ratio: 1.90, 95% confidence interval: 0.93-3.91). The pooled estimate increased and was significant after the exclusion of one study (2.46, 1.14-5.32). There was a significant heterogeneity (I2 = 65%, tau2 = 0.48, p = 0.01; prediction interval, 0.21-16.84). There was no significant publication bias (p = 0.432). In conclusion, diabetes could increase the risk of AVN in sites other than the jaw, but the available evidence is limited. There is a need for large, well-designed, population-based studies.

Barriers to accessing health services during the COVID-19 pandemic in Poland: A nationwide cross-sectional survey among 109,928 adults in Poland.

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic has significant socio-economic implications for numerous industries, including healthcare. Disruptions of essential health services were reported by nearly all countries around the world. A detailed assessment of the healthcare uptake is necessary to estimate the potential health effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the population. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of barriers to accessing health services during the COVID-19 pandemic in Poland as well as to identify factors associated with the disturbed access to healthcare during the pandemic. Methods: This cross-sectional survey was carried out among Internet users in Poland using the computer-assisted web interview technique. Data were collected between October and December 2021. The questionnaire included 32 questions on sociodemographic characteristics, the COVID-19 pandemic, health status, daily habits as well as the use of healthcare during the COVID-19 pandemic. Results: Data were obtained from 102928 adults, the mean age was 48.0 ± 14.2 years, and 57.2% were females. Most of the respondents had visited a doctor during the past 12 months (70.4%). Almost half of adults in Poland (49.7%) reported barriers to access health services in the past 12 months. Out of 51,105 respondents who had experienced barriers to accessing health services during the COVID-19 pandemic, only 54.3% had visited a doctor in the past 12 months. Long waiting time (39.5%) and temporary closure of healthcare facilities/transformation into a COVID-19 dedicated center (28.8%) were the most common barriers indicated by the respondents. In multivariable logistic regression, female gender, age 18-49 years, lack of higher education, living in cities between 51,000 and 200,000 residents or above 500,000 residents, and having at least one chronic disease were significantly (p < 0.05) associated with higher odds of experiencing barriers to accessing health services during the COVID-19 pandemic. Conclusions: This study confirmed that the COVID-19 pandemic has worsened access to health services in Poland. During the pandemic, new barriers to accessing health services, such as the temporary closure of healthcare facilities for non-COVID patients were revealed. Findings from this study provided patients' perspectives on barriers to accessing health services in Poland that may be used by policymakers to reduce health inequalities.

The Risk of Avascular Necrosis Following the Stabilization of Femoral Neck Fractures: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: Avascular necrosis (AVN) of the femoral head often requires surgical treatment and is often associated with femoral neck fractures. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of recent research on the risk of AVN following the stabilization of fractured femoral neck with implants in PubMed. We assessed the effect of age on AVN incidence among patients aged > 50 and younger, depending on fracture type, Garden stage, Pouwels degree, Delbet stage, and age category. We followed PRISMA guidelines. Relevant studies were defined as research articles describing real-world studies reporting on the risk of AVN following primary surgical fracture stabilization with implants, published between 1 January 2011 and 22 April 2021. Fifty-two papers met the inclusion criteria, with a total of N = 5930 with surgically managed fractures. The pooled mean AVN incidence was significantly higher among patients with displaced fractures (20.7%; 95% CI: 12.8−28.5%) vs. those with undisplaced fractures (4.7%; 95% CI: 3.4−6.0%). No significant correlation was observed between AVN incidence weighted by sample size and time interval from injury to surgery (p = 0.843, R2 = 0.01). In conclusion, the risk of AVN following femoral neck fractures was generally high, especially in patients with displaced fractures. The time from injury to surgery did not correlate with AVN incidence.

Bone Infarcts and Tumorigenesis-Is There a Connection? A Mini-Mapping Review.

(1) Background: Avascular necrosis (AVN) may affect every part of the bone. Epiphyseal infarcts are likely to be treated early because most are symptomatic. However, meta- and diaphyseal infarcts are silent and are diagnosed incidentally. Sarcomas developing in the necrotic bone are extremely rare, but they have been reported in the literature. (2) Methods: We conducted a mapping review of recent evidence regarding these malignancies. Methods: A mapping review using a systematic search strategy was conducted to answer research questions. We limited our research to the last ten years (2012-2022). (3) Results: A total of 11 papers were identified, including 9 case reports and 3 case series. The pathomechanism of carcinogenesis in AVN was not investigated to date. Histologically, most tumors were malignant fibrous histiocytoma. The prognosis is relatively poor, especially for patients with metastases, but adjuvant chemotherapy may increase short- and long-term survival. (4) Conclusions: Since AVN-related malignancies are sporadic, no prospective studies have been conducted. The majority of evidence comes from small case series. More research is needed to identify the risk factors that would justify follow-up of patients after bone infarcts at higher risk of developing a malignancy.

Anxiety and Depression in Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.

Background and Objectives: Mental health disorders are often the consequence of hormonal disorders such as those accompanying polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), where changes in appearance and having to deal with a number of other problems occur due to this illness. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence and severity of anxiety and depression symptoms, the level of ego-resiliency, and the ways that women with PCOS cope with stress compared to healthy women in order to determine the influence of socio-demographic characteristics in relation to levels of anxiety and depression with ego-resiliency and stress-coping methods. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted in Poland in 2021 and included 230 women with PCOS and 199 healthy controls aged 20-40 years old. The hospital anxiety and depression scale (HADs), ego-resiliency scale, as well as the MINI-COPE inventory were used. Results: The women with PCOS had higher levels of anxiety and depression and poorer ego-resiliency in comparison to the healthy women. The women with PCOS used passive stress-coping strategies significantly more commonly than the healthy women. Living in rural areas, having a lower level of education and being childless increased anxiety levels. Similarly, being over 30, living in a rural area, having a lower level of education, being childless, and being obese increased depression levels in the women with PCOS. A low level of ego-resiliency and passive stress-coping strategies are predictors of high levels of anxiety and depression in women with PCOS. Conclusions: Women with PCOS should be checked for anxiety and depression. They should also be checked to see whether they have the resources to cope with chronic stress in order to optimize therapeutic interventions.

Metabolic Syndrome, BMI, and Polymorphism of Estrogen Receptor-α in Peri- and Post-Menopausal Polish Women.

The study aimed to investigate the association between the estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) polymorphism and the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) and obesity, as well as the coexistence of MetS and obesity, in peri- and post-menopausal Polish women. The study group consisted of 202 peri-menopausal and 202 post-menopausal women. ERα polymorphism: Xba I and Pvu II, MetS, BMI, and serum estrogen concentration were analyzed. MetS was found in 29% of the peri-menopausal women and in 21% of the post-menopausal women. BMI did not significantly differ between the peri- and post-menopausal women (≈42% were normal weight, ≈40% were overweight, and ≈18% were obese), (p = 0.82). Serum estrogen concentration in the peri-menopausal women was 91 ± 75 pg/mL, while that in the post-menopausal women was 17 ± 9. pg/mL, on average. Peri-menopausal women with AA and TT genotypes of the ERα polymorphism have a lower risk of obesity and MetS and the co-existence of obesity and MetS, whereas those women with the G or C allele have a higher risk of those health problems.

The Sense of Coherence and Health Behavior of Men with Alcohol Addiction.

INTRODUCTION: Alcohol dependence is one of the world's major health challenges. The salutogenic concept of health developed by Antonovsky focuses on the search for resources and factors supporting health. Its basic concept of the sense of coherence (SOC) focuses on strengthening the global orientation of the patient, and creating permanent internal resources that translate into the improvement of pro-health behavior, including the fight against alcoholism. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to determine the correlation between individual factors and the SOC as well as the influence of the SOC concept on pro-health behavior of people addicted to alcohol. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study group consisted of 110 men undergoing treatment in an addiction treatment ward. To check the level of the SOC, two standardized questionnaires, Antonovsky's "SOC-29 Life Orientation Questionnaire" and Juczynski's "Health Behaviour Inventory", were used. The correlation coefficient between the sociodemographic variables was checked using the Pearson's r test. RESULTS: A positive correlation was found with the intensity of pro-health behaviors for three sociodemographic variables. In people aged 43-65 (r = 0.299; p = 0.030), people with primary/vocational education (r = 0.276; p = 0.015), and respondents living in rural areas (r = 0.303; p = 0.028) a greater SOC was associated with pro-health behaviors. CONCLUSIONS: Individuals addicted to alcohol are characterized by a low SOC and a low level of pro-health behaviors. Strengthening the internal level of the SOC can constitute an element of addiction therapy when introducing health education to prepare the patient for independent life in sobriety.

Avascular Necrosis of Femoral Head-Overview and Current State of the Art.

Avascular necrosis (AVN) of the femoral head is caused by disruption of the blood supply to the proximal femur. The alterations in the blood supply may occur following a traumatic event or result from a non-traumatic cause. Femoral neck fracture and hip dislocation and associated surgical procedures, corticosteroid therapy, and alcohol abuse frequently lead to AVN development. Type of fracture (displaced or undisplaced) and time between injury and surgery are the most critical factors in assessing the risk of developing AVN. Diagnosis of AVN can be established based on patients' complaints, medical history, and radiographic findings. There is no consensus on the treatment of patients with AVN to date. Non-surgical methods are dedicated to patients in the early pre-collapse stages of the disease and consist of pharmacotherapy and physiotherapy. Surgery is recommended for patients with advanced disease.

Genetic aspects of pain and its variability in the human population.

The sensation of pain is common to both animals and human beings. Its threshold, intensity, tolerability, and characteristics are variable and depend on ethnicity, gender, stress exposure, co-existing mental disorders, such as depression or anxiety, social and economical background, as well as on genetic factors. It is estimated that about 5 and 20 percent of population suffer from acute and chronic pain, respectively, which results in the search for medical advice in healthcare facilities, and causes great expenses in health care budgets worldwide. Research aimed at identifying the causative agents of pain syndromes include single nucleotidepolymorphism (SNP), family history studies, twin siblings' genetic diversity studies, and recently, also a genome-wide association study (GWAS). Clinical syndromes of derangement of pain sensation are generally caused by single gene mutations (e.g. erythromelalgia and paroxysmal extreme pain disorder caused by mutations of SCN9A), but can also be associated with multiple gene mutations, as happens in migraine, fibromyalgia or hereditary sensory and autonomic neuropathies. Structural changes of proteins caused by gene mutations involve various cellular element, such as ion channels, receptors, scaffolding proteins, enzymes, transporting proteins, eventually leading to numerous clinical entities in which pain or its lack remain the leading symptoms. The sensation of pain is initiated by a stimulus, which activates the free nerve endings via chemical mediators, and the mechanical stimuli is then transmitted to the brain along the neurons and spinal tracts. Synaptic neurotransmitters and cell structures take part in this process and eventually affect the intensity of pain sensation.

Characteristics of osteoporotic vertebral fractures in association with symptomatic status in postmenopausal women - a retrospective study of a single centre in Poland.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Vertebral compression fractures (VCFs), which are a complication of osteoporosis, often cause diagnostic and therapeutic difficulties. The aim of this study was to find association between the characteristics of VCFs and the symptomatic status of patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study involved a total of 437 women with diagnosed postmenopausal osteoporosis (193 with at least one compression fracture and 244 without VCFs). To identify VCFs, all patients underwent morphometry using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Based on the history of VCFs, subjects were divided into two groups: with symptomatic (n=59) and asymptomatic (n=134) VCFs. RESULTS: Each patient had, on average, 2.03 ± 1.50 VCFs. Patients with VCFs were older [p<0.001] and shorter [p<0.001] than those without VCFs. VCFs located in the thoracic spine and the lumbar spine occurred with similar frequency (p=0.112). Multiple fractures in both spine segments (50.13%) were more frequent than fractures limited to only one section of the spine, either thoracic (22.76%) or lumbar (27.11%). The decreasing number of subjects was exponentially associated with the increasing number of VCFs (p<0.001). Symptomatic patients compared to asymptomatic patients had a higher serum concentration of 25-hydroxyvitamin D, and lower serum activity of alkaline phosphatase (p<0.01; p<0.005, respectively). In the lumbar spin, the risk of symptomatic VCFs was more than twofold higher compared to asymptomatic VCFs (p <0.001, OR=2.57, 95% CI: 1.57-4.19). Symptomatic status depended on the number of lumbar VCFs (p<0.001, OR=2.47, 95% CI: 1.68-3.63), as well as higher T-score L1-L4 (p=0.009, OR=1.43, 95% CI: 1.09-1.88). CONCLUSIONS: Patients' symptomatic status depends on the location and number of VCFs, as well as T-score L1-L4.

Exposure to Environmental Tobacco Smoke (ETS) among Employees of Hospitality Venues in the Light of Changes in Anti-Tobacco Legislation in Poland.

Introduction: Numerous studies conducted in Europe and worldwide have indicated that employees of hospitality venues are the most exposed professional group to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) in the workplace. The purpose of this study was to assess the exposure of employees of hospitality venues to ETS in the light of changes in anti-tobacco legislation in Poland. Materials and methods: The study consisted of two stages. The first stage was conducted in 2010, while the second in 2015. The study was conducted among employees of 300 randomly selected hospitality venues in the city of Lódz (Poland). In total, 2607 questionnaires were analysed. The study used two survey questionnaires created and recommended by the Institute for Global Tobacco Control to study exposure to ETS. Statistical analysis was made with Statistica 13.1 PL (StatSoft, Poland). Results: In the group of all nonsmoking employees, individuals exposed to ETS at work in 2010 accounted for 72.6%; while in 2015 it was 51.8%. Factors affecting exposure to ETS in the workplace included, among others: age, marital status, education, position held, presence of a smoking room on the premises, and noncompliance with the provisions of the anti-tobacco laws. Conclusions: The prevalence of tobacco smoking among employees of hospitality venues decreased in 2010-2015, however, it remained high. More than half of nonsmoking employees were exposed to ETS at work.

Factors determining health behaviours of the 50+ population with cardiovascular diseases.

INTRODUCTION: The biggest threat to life are cardiovascular diseases which are a serious problem in Poland, Europe, and worldwide. Therefore, it has become important to have proper health behaviours which significantly eliminate the occurrence and development of cardiovascular diseases. OBJECTIVE: The main aim of this study is to present factors that determine health behaviours of the 50+ population with cardiovascular diseases. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study was carried out among 411 individuals aged over 50 with cardiovascular diseases. The method used was a diagnostic survey. The study involved an authors' survey questionnaire and the Inventory of Health-Related Behaviours (IHB). A detailed statistical analysis was carried out in the R programme, version 3.5.1. RESULTS: The most common disease in the study group was coronary heart disease - 63.75%. The majority of respondents showed (via Inventory of Health-Related Behaviour [IHB]) that the level of their health behaviours was moderate - 41.12%; the highest level of health behaviours in the study group were related to health practices, while a slightly lower level was observed in the area of positive mental attitude. Statistical significance was also found between the level of intensity of health behaviours and age, gender, BMI, place of residence, education, professional activity and marital status of the respondents. CONCLUSIONS: Anti-health behaviours were predominant among the respondents; significant demographic and social factors determining health behaviour were determined, such as age and gender; a high level of health behaviours was found in the group of women with higher education and correct body mass, living in cities and married.

Atherogenic lipid profile and health behaviours in women post-menopause working in agriculture.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: There is a significantly higher risk of lipid disorders occurrence, including atherogenic dyslipidemia in women after menopause than it is in general population. The aim of the work was to investigate the correlation between health behaviours and the occurrence of lipid disorders in women after menopause working in agriculture. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study was conducted in years 2015-2016 and included 843 post-menopausal women working in agriculture. The following were used: a questionnaire including socio-demographic data, laboratory lipid tests, inventory of health behaviours. The following were estimated: logistic regression models for serum lipids concentration versus frequency of health behaviours in the examined women. RESULTS: Adverse lipid profile was found in over a half of post-menopausal women working in agriculture, whereas the frequency of health behaviours were estimated at the average level, although the frequency of correct eating habits and health practices was significantly lower than preventive behaviours and positive psychological attitudes. A correlation was found between the frequency of health behaviours and the occurrence of lipid disorders in women after menopause working in agriculture: more frequent health practices co-existed with the lower concentration of total cholesterol and a higher concentration of HDL-cholesterol, more frequent preventive behaviours co-existed with lower concentration of LDL-cholesterol. Women with higher concentration of triglycerides undertook pro-health practices relatively more often. CONCLUSIONS: The study revealed a high prevalence of lipid disorders in postmenopausal women working in agriculture. More effective health education programmes are necessary in the area of reduction the risk factors of CVD in the population of women working in agriculture.

Stress at intellectual work and cardiovascular diseases in women at non-mobility working age.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Stress at the work place reduces efficiency, as well as increasing accidents and absences, which may cause various diseases, including cardiovascular diseases. The aim of the study is an analysis of the prevalence and causes of stress in intellectual work, and its correlation with the prevalence of cardiovascular diseases in women at non-mobility working age. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study was conducted in 2016-2017 in a group of 300 women aged 45-60 in non-manual employment. A questionnaire for subjective job evaluation was used. Logistic regression models for the occurrence of CVDs versus frequency of occurrence of individual causes of work stress among the respondents were estimated. RESULTS: Women at non-mobility working age with non-manual employment are especially exposed to stress, half of them experience high level of stress at work, most often caused by social contacts and lack of rewards and support. Cardiovascular diseases were found in 26.5% of the women studied who were also significantly higher exposed to the occurrence of health hazards due to exposure to harmful factors, or due to an accident at work, changes in the workplace, the need to compete with others,and the need to perform the task despite the lack of appropriate material resources, compared with women without such diseases. CONCLUSIONS: The study revealed a high prevalence of occupational stress in non-manual employment, indicated its main causes that correlated with the alence of cardiovascular diseases. Actions are needed to reduce the level of stress in the work of women at non-mobility working age, to maintain their work ability and quality of life.

Environmental variations of nutritional mistakes among Polish school-age adolescents from urban and rural areas.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Many studies have indicated numerous nutrition mistakes among school-aged children and adolescents in both urban and rural environments. The aim of this study was to assess the nutritional habits of the Polish population, consisting of 7,974 individuals aged 12-17, from rural and urban environments, as well as to identify environmental variations of these habits and to verify the existing information on the incorrect nutrition of school-age children and adolescents. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The research covered a group of 7,974 respondents - school-age adolescents with a similar age structure (12-17 years). The study on subjects from secondary school grades 1 - 3 was conducted in randomly selected schools from 2 random Polish provinces; 5 counties were randomly selected, followed by a choice of 2 communes: one rural and one urban. The research technique was a self-designed survey questionnaire. The obtained results were subjected to statistical analysis using the Pearson Chi 2 and V Cramer test. RESULTS: The research revealed environment-based differences in subjects' nutrition. Breakfast was consumed daily by a statistically significantly fewer subjects from the rural environment (36.31%) than from the urban areas (51.32%); second breakfast was consumed by an insignificantly smaller proportion of respondents from the urban environment (40.00%) than from the rural one (46.00%); dinner was eaten daily by 86.00% of urban subjects and 82.00% of rural respondents; afternoon tea and supper were eaten rarely by respondents from both environments. The diet of respondents was dominated by anti-health behaviours. CONCLUSIONS: Most of the respondents displayed incorrect nutritional behaviours. Nutritional mistakes occurred among respondents from both rural and urban environments, with the predominance of the rural areas.

Physical activity as an important element in organizing and managing the lifestyle of populations in urban and rural environments.

INTRODUCTION: Physical activity is one of the basic needs of people throughout their lives. Physical activity prevents many diseases, including cardiovascular diseases, which have the highest mortality rate, both among urban and rural populations in Poland. The average life expectancy in Poland and the European Union is increasing. The proportion of children and adolescents under the age of 20 is decreasing slowly but steadily, while the proportion of older people (aged 65+) in the total population is gradually increasing. According to the forecast of the Central Statistical Office, the percentage of older people increased rapidly after 2010, and will reach 22.3% in 2030. The number of the elderly will increase from 5,134,000 in 2007 to 8,195,000 in 2030. The health situation of Poles is less favourable compared to other European Union states. The most common health risks are: nicotine, drug addiction, alcoholism and obesity. One of the causes of obesity is an unhealthy lifestyle. Lifestyle is a basic determinant of human health. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to present research results based on a literature review on the importance of physical activity for human health as an element of organizing and managing the lifestyle of urban and rural populations. CONCLUSIONS: Comprehensive measures should be taken to increase public health awareness and promote health education, especially among school-age children and youths, and to provide appropriate sports infrastructure in particularly neglected rural areas.