Choline-An Underappreciated Component of a Mother-to-Be's Diet.

The nutritional status of the mother-to-be has a key impact on the proper development of the fetus. Although all nutrients are important for the developing baby, recent research indicates the importance of adequate choline intake during the periconceptional period, pregnancy, and lactation. Choline plays a key role in the biosynthesis of cell membranes, supporting liver function, neurotransmission, brain development, and DNA and histone methylation. Choline participates in the formation of a child's nervous system, supports its cognitive development, and reduces the risk of neural tube defects. The human body is incapable of producing sufficient choline to meet its needs; therefore, it must be obtained from the diet. Current data indicate that most women in their reproductive years do not achieve the recommended daily intake of choline. The presented narrative review indicates the importance of educating mothers-to-be and thereby increasing their awareness of the effects of choline on maternal and child health, which can lead to a more aware and healthy pregnancy and proper child development.

Prevalence of dyslipidaemia within Polish nurses. Cross-sectional study - single and multiple linear regression models and ROC analysis.

BACKGROUND: Maintaining good health is vital not only for own well-being, but also to ensure high-quality patient care. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of dyslipidaemia and to determine the factors responsible for the development of this disorder among Polish nurses. Lipid profile disorders are the most prevalent and challenging risk factors for the development of cardiovascular disease. Nurses have significant potential and play a crucial role in providing care and treatment services. METHODS: This cross-sectional study involved nurses and included measurements of body weight composition (Tanita MC-980), body mass index, waist circumference, blood pressure (Welch Allyn 4200B), lipid profile, and fasting blood glucose (CardioChek PA). RESULTS: The results revealed that more than half of the nurses (60.09%) were overweight or obese, with 57.28% exhibiting elevated blood pressure, 32.25% having fasting glucose levels, and 69.14% experiencing dyslipidaemia. Multiple model evaluation using ROC curves demonstrated that multiple models accurately predicted hypercholesterolemia (AUC = 0.715), elevated LDL (AUC = 0.727), and elevated TC (AUC = 0.723) among Polish nurses. CONCLUSION: Comprehensive education programmes should be implemented that include the latest advances in cardiovascular disease prevention. Regular check-ups, as well as the promotion and availability of healthy food in hospital canteens, are essential.

Career models, job satisfaction, and type of work-related behavior presented by Polish nurses: A cross-sectional post-COVID-19 study.

BACKGROUND: Nurses constitute a crucial professional group within the healthcare system. Job satisfaction and opportunities for professional development directly impact the quality of medical services provided and help prevent burnout. The study aimed to assess the preferred career model, the level of job satisfaction, and determine the type of work-related behavior presented by Polish nurses. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 795 nurses after the COVID-19 pandemic. Three standardized scales were used: My Career questionnaire to access the preferred career model, the Job Satisfaction Scale, and Work­Related Behavior and Experience Patterns (Arbeitsbesorgenes Verhaltens und Erlebenmuster - AVEM) questionnaire assessing types of work-related behavior. Descriptive statistics, Spearman's correlation coefficient, and multiple linear regression were used for analysis of data. RESULTS: The results concerning the relationship between the types of work-related behavior, job satisfaction, and the preferred career model revealed that type G (healthy) was significantly and positively correlated (p < 0.05, r > 0) with the Challenge subscale of the career model (r = 0.095, p = 0.007) and job satisfaction (r = 0.136, p < 0.001). The higher the score on the Challenge subscale and greater job satisfaction, the more pronounced type G personality. The multiple linear regression models explained only 2.5 to 5% of the variability of studied questionnaire outcomes but indicated that significant, independent predictors for the My Career questionnaire subscales and AVEM raw scales for each type were additional qualifications, level of education, work experience, and place of work. Significant predictors of the job satisfaction scale were employment in private healthcare facilities and a master's degree. CONCLUSIONS: Nurses experience job satisfaction, but the workload, demanding daily tasks, and the sense of responsibility can lead them to feel fatigued and burnt out. The preferred career model involves Security and Stability, as well as Service and Commitment to other domains. Only a small percentage of the variability in the results of the analyzed dependent variables was explained by the explanatory variables included in the model. Med Pr Work Health Saf. 2024;75(1):19-30.

Vegan diet: nutritional components, implementation, and effects on adults' health.

Vegan diet has emerged as a popular dietary choice for people worldwide in recent times, due to concerns such as health issues, animal rights and welfare, and the sustainability of the environment. The purpose of this literature review was to explain how a vegan diet may affect the health of adults and to point out beneficial components found in it as well as any difficulties associated with its implementation. Evidence supports that a vegan diet can reduce the risk of chronic diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and certain types of cancer. A well-planned vegan diet must include adequate calories and nutrients, as well as the necessary supplements, such as vitamin B12, vitamin D and EPA/DHA. Given the current growing interest in plant-based diets among the general population, it is crucial to understand both the barriers, risks, and benefits of the vegan diet among physicians, policy makers, and the general population.

Development and validation of new predictive equations for resting energy expenditure in physically active boys.

Measurement or estimation of resting energy expenditure (REE) should be the first step in determining energy demand in physically active boys. The purpose of this study was to develop and validate new equations for resting energy expenditure in male children and adolescents practicing soccer. The cross-sectional studywas carried out among 184 boys in the derivation group and 148 boys in the validation group (mean age 13.20 ± 2.16 years and 13.24 ± 1.75 years, respectively). The calorimeter and device for assessing body composition by bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) were used. Model of multiple regression showed that REE can be predicted in this population with Eq. (1) (with height and weight data) or Eq. (2) (with age, height, and fat free mass data). Predictive Eq. (1) had an average error of 51 ± 199 kcal and predictive Eq. (2) - 39 ± 193 kcal. Cohen's d coefficient was 0.2, which confirms the small difference. The bias was 4.7% and 3.9%, respectively. The accuracy was 61.2% in the population for predictive Eq. (1) and 66.2% for predictive Eq. (2). Therefore, the new equations developed and validated in this study are recommended for the estimation of REE in physically active boys, when the use of IC is not feasible or available.

Health and Sedentary Behaviors within Polish Nurses: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Health behaviors play a pivotal role in improving and strengthening health. Nurses, who constitute the vast majority of employees in the health sector, play a crucial role not only in treating disease but also in promoting and maintaining optimal health for themselves and society. The purpose of the study was to assess the level of health and sedentary behavior and the factors influencing them among nurses. A survey, cross-sectional study was conducted among 587 nurses. Standardized questionnaires evaluating health and sedentary behavior were used. The study utilized both single-factor and multifactor analyses, employing the linear regression method and Spearman correlation coefficient. The results showed that the health behaviors of the survey nurses were at an average level. Sedentary time (in hours) was an average of 5.62 h (SD = 1.77) and correlates significantly (p < 0.05) and negatively (r < 0) with health behaviors in terms of the positive mental attitude subscale; the longer the sitting time, the lower the intensity of this type of health behaviors. The efficient functioning of the healthcare system is greatly dependent on nursing staff. To improve health behaviors among nurses, systemic solutions such as workplace wellness programs, incentives for healthy behaviors, and education on the benefits of a healthy lifestyle are needed.

Dr. Google: Physicians-The Web-Patients Triangle: Digital Skills and Attitudes towards e-Health Solutions among Physicians in South Eastern Poland-A Cross-Sectional Study in a Pre-COVID-19 Era.

The investment in digital e-health services is a priority direction in the development of global healthcare systems. While people are increasingly using the Web for health information, it is not entirely clear what physicians' attitudes are towards digital transformation, as well as the acceptance of new technologies in healthcare. The aim of this cross-sectional survey study was to investigate physicians' self-digital skills and their opinions on obtaining online health knowledge by patients, as well as the recognition of physicians' attitudes towards e-health solutions. Principal component analysis (PCA) was performed to emerge the variables from self-designed questionnaire and cross-sectional analysis, comparing descriptive statistics and correlations for dependent variables using the one-way ANOVA (F-test). A total of 307 physicians participated in the study, reported as using the internet mainly several times a day (66.8%). Most participants (70.4%) were familiar with new technologies and rated their e-health literacy high, although 84.0% reported the need for additional training in this field and reported a need to introduce a larger number of subjects shaping digital skills (75.9%). 53.4% of physicians perceived Internet-sourced information as sometimes reliable and, in general, assessed the effects of its use by their patients negatively (41.7%). Digital skills increased significantly with frequency of internet use (F = 13.167; p = 0.0001) and decreased with physicians' age and the need for training. Those who claimed that patients often experienced health benefits from online health showed higher digital skills (-1.06). Physicians most often recommended their patients to obtain laboratory test results online (32.2%) and to arrange medical appointments via the Internet (27.0%). Along with the deterioration of physicians' digital skills, the recommendation of e-health solutions decreased (r = 0.413) and lowered the assessment of e-health solutions for the patient (r = 0.449). Physicians perceive digitization as a sign of the times and frequently use its tools in daily practice. The evaluation of Dr. Google's phenomenon and online health is directly related to their own e-health literacy skills, but there is still a need for practical training to deal with the digital revolution.

Levels of actigraphy-derived physical activity among Polish nurses: factors associated with the prevalence of selected metabolic disorders.

Numerous studies demonstrate a relationship between physical activity and the development of non-communicable diseases. Nurses play a crucial role in the healthcare system, and their demanding work can have an impact on their health. The objective of this cross-sectional study was to assess physical activity in relation to factors predisposing to the occurrence of specific metabolic disorders among Polish nurses. The measurements included physical activity level using ActiGraph GT3X, body weight composition using Tanita MC-980, body mass index, waist circumference, blood pressure using Welch Allyn 4200B, lipid profile, and fasting blood glucose using CardioChek PA. The results indicate that nearly one-third (31.75%) of the total sample of studied nurses do not meet the criteria for the minimum amount of physical activity of at least moderate intensity. Furthermore, over half of the surveyed nurses (55.5%) were classified as overweight or obese based on BMI, and almost half (42.86%) had abdominal obesity. The regression model, employing linear regression, revealed that factors predisposing to selected metabolic disorders were age, engaging in multiple jobs, and the number of steps per day. There is a pressing need to implement comprehensive and supportive initiatives to improve the overall health condition of nurses in Poland through increased physical activity. Activating and supporting this professional group is an investment that benefits not only the nurses themselves but also the healthcare system and the entire nation.

Corrigendum: Vegan diet: nutritional components, implementation, and effects on adults' health.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2023.1294497.].

COVID-19-Related Predictors of Fear and Attitude to Vaccination Displayed by Polish Students.

Vaccines are one of the most important achievements of modern medicine in maintaining the health of the population. The prolonged pandemic and subsequent lockdowns meant that the new COVID-19 vaccine was regarded by scientists and society as the way to end the pandemic and return to normal life. The purpose of this study was to analyze the factors responsible for the feeling of fear due to COVID-19 infection and the attitudes of medical students towards vaccination against COVID-19. A cross-sectional study was conducted online among medical students using standardized questionnaires: the Fear of COVID-19 scale and the Vaccination Attitude Examination scale. According to the results obtained, the respondents had a low level of fear of COVID-19 and the majority had positive attitudes towards vaccination against COVID-19. Regression analysis showed that the main predictors of fear of the pandemic and attitudes towards vaccination were age, sex, field of study, and sources of knowledge about vaccines. The analysis of factors related to the discussed issues can be the basis to formulate educational and preventive programs, to shape positive attitudes of future health sector employees toward the issue of preventive vaccination, as well as for the development of strategies to promote vaccination against COVID-19.

Factors Influencing Nurses' Opinions on the Implementation of Nursing Advice in Poland.

In the past five years, nursing practice has changed drastically in Poland. Nurses have received many new competencies in response to the need to provide services to patients. The purpose of the study was to analyze nurses' opinions on the new rights to provide nursing advice and to identify factors that influence their opinions in this regard. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 798 nurses who work in various medical facilities. The influence of selected variables on nurses' opinions on the provision of nursing advice to patients was evaluated using logistic regression. The nurses surveyed had a positive attitude towards new competencies and believed that they were able to independently provide the patient with advice within the scope provided by Polish legislation. Logistic regression showed that the factors that statistically significantly influenced nurses' opinions on particular types of nursing advice were age (p = 0.038), education (p = 0.000), and the place of work of the respondents; that is, hospital (p = 0.016). More research is needed to demonstrate the effectiveness and quality of the implemented nursing advice and its impact on the functioning of the health system.

Assessment of job satisfaction, self-efficacy, and the level of professional burnout of primary and secondary school teachers in Poland during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Background: The work of teachers during the COVID-19 pandemic created additional challenges and required them to go beyond conventional teaching methods, which in turn required teachers to be more resilient and caused stress and excessive workload. The aim of the study was to assess the level of occupational burnout, the sense of job satisfaction and the self-efficacy of primary and secondary school teachers working during the COVID-19 pandemic in Poland. Methods: This is a cross-sectional descriptive study conducted among 412 teachers from randomly selected primary and secondary schools in the Podkarpacie region in Poland. The questionnaire contained socio-demographic data of the respondents and three standardized scales: The Scale of Job Satisfaction (SJS), General Self-Efficacy Scale (GSES) and Arbeitsbesorgenes Verhaltens und Erlebenmuster (AVEM). The Shapiro-Wilk, Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U-test were used. Statistical analysis was performed with Statistica TIBCO 13.3 and R (version 3.6.1) software. Results: The satisfaction with the work of the surveyed teachers was average in the job satisfaction scale. The vast majority of the surveyed teachers presented type B (overburdened risk type) of work-related behavior, and type A (overburdened risk type) in which the probability of burnout is very high. The feeling of self-effectiveness determines the level of job satisfaction and the level of professional burnout among the surveyed teachers. Job satisfaction had a statistically significant impact on the assessment of self-efficacy of the surveyed teachers (p < 0.0001). The types of work-related behavior have a statistically significant impact on the assessment of the teachers' own effectiveness (p < 0.0001). Conclusion: There is a close relationship between teachers' level of self- efficacy, job satisfaction and, therefore it may predispose them to the occurrence of burnout syndrome in the future. Support for this professional group is needed. These findings may be important for education policy, teacher's practice, and subsequent research. Ultimately, the study may provide some suggestions for methodological and educational strategies.

Longitudinal analysis of resting energy expenditure and body mass composition in physically active children and adolescents.

BACKGROUND: Monitoring body composition and changes in energy expenditure during maturation and growth is significant, as many components can influence body structure in adulthood. In the case of young players, when these changes can influence their strength and power, it seems to be equally important. Our aim was to examine whether resting energy expenditure (REE) and body composition would change after 10 months from baseline in physically active children and adolescents. METHODS: We obtained data from 80 children and adolescents aged 9 to 17 years at two measurement points: the baseline in September 2018 and after 10 months in July 2019. The study was carried out using a calorimeter (Fitmate MED, Cosmed, Rome, Italy), a device used to assess body composition using by the electrical bioimpedance method by means of a segment analyzer (TANITA MC-980). The Student's t-test and linear regression analysis were used. Using the stepwise forward regression procedure, the selection of factors in a statistically significant way that describes the level of REE was made. RESULTS: We noticed that REE was not significantly different between baseline (1596.94 ± 273.01 kcal) and after 10 months (1625.38 ± 253.26 kcal). When analyzing the difference in REE between studies girls, we found body height as a significant predictor. The results of our study show a negative relationship between growth and REE. Differences between sexes and age in REE between baseline and after 10 months were not significant. CONCLUSIONS: Our study involving physically active children and adolescents, which used repeated objective measures and longitudinal statistical modeling to analyze them, was unable to demonstrate any interaction between body weight change, body composition measurements, and REE.

Focus on Polish nurses' health condition: a cross-sectional study.

Background: The nursing profession carries with it many negative factors and a high risk of developing chronic diseases, including overweight and obesity. According to statistics, the health condition of this professional group is much worse than that of the average population of the same age. As the largest and most trusted professional group in the world, nurses are critical to the health of any nation. The aim of the study was to assess the Polish nurse's health condition based on real measurements of parameters important for the occurrence of metabolic diseases. Methods: This is the cross-sectional, conducted among two age groups of Polish nurses (<50 years and ≥50 years). Study included the measurements with DXA, the assessment of glucose concentration and lipid profile, the measurement of blood pressure and socio-demographic data of the surveyed nurses. Results: The majority of respondents above 50 years old were nurses with elevated total cholesterol (79.3%), elevated LDL cholesterol (72.8%), 42.4% of studied nurses had hypertension. Conclusion: Individual, local and national measures to prevent and support the health of this professional group are needed.

Polish Nurses' Opinions on the Expansion of Their Competences-Cross-Sectional Study.

The development of medical science creates new challenges for nurses to acquire new skills. Thanks to legal changes in Poland, nurses have gained the opportunity to independently provide health services in many areas, including consultations for patients. The aim of the survey is to analyze nurses' opinions on the expansion of competences in their profession. This is a cross-sectional, descriptive study conducted among 798 nurses using the survey technique. The majority (65.48%) of the respondents believed that they were adequately prepared to take up new competences. Most of the respondents believed that the new competence would improve the efficiency of the healthcare system in Poland (71.06%) and facilitate patients' access to health services (65.29%). According to the nurses, the scope of nursing advice will mainly concern the promotion of health education, wound treatment and prescribing medications. Age, seniority and education level significantly influenced the nurses' opinions on the scope of nursing advice. The Mann-Whitney test and the Kruskal-Wallis test were used. A correlation between two quantitative variables was assessed with the Spearman's rho coefficient. The significance level of p < 0.05 was assumed. The extension of the professional competences of nurses will increase the prestige of the profession and is another step toward introducing the role of Advanced Practice Nurse in Poland.

The Year of the Nurse during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

The year 2020 was established by the World Health Organization as The Year of the Nurse and Midwife to emphasize the importance of this profession to the healthcare system. Strange but true, nurses around the world celebrated it by being frontline workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Thus, the phrase "Nursing Now" has become more important than ever. The main aim of this article was to draw attention to the fact that 2020 was the Year of the Nurse and Midwife and, indeed, their role in the fight against the pandemic is difficult overlook. Through the use of available scientific databases, documents and scientific publications related to the subject were collected and analyzed. Nurses are able to fulfill their duties as long as they are properly rewarded and provided not only with support but also better terms and conditions of employment. The investment in nurses should also be treated as an investment in the healthcare system.

The Prevalence of ''Food Addiction'' during the COVID-19 Pandemic Measured Using the Yale Food Addiction Scale 2.0 (YFAS 2.0) among the Adult Population of Poland.

The announcement of the coronavirus pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO), ongoing restrictions and isolation led to a break with the daily routine, and suspension of social contacts, but also imposed new challenges on the population related to maintaining healthy eating habits. The purpose of the study was to assess the prevalence of "food addiction" (FA) during the COVID-19 pandemic in Poland in relation to several variables including depression. The method of analysis was a questionnaire containing original questions and the Yale Food Addiction Scale 2.0 (YFAS). A total of 1022 Polish residents aged 18-75 participated in the study (N = 1022; 93.7% women, 6.3% men). The prevalence of FA during the COVID-19 pandemic measured with the YFAS 2.0 scale was 14.1%. The average weight gain during the pandemic in 39% of respondents was 6.53 kg. Along with the increase in the value of the BMI index, the intensity of "food addiction" increased in the study group. People with depression had statistically significantly more FA symptoms than healthy people. This work may motivate future research to evaluate the association and potential overlap of "food addiction" and problem eating behaviors during the pandemic and the obesity problem.

Polish Nurses' Attitude to e-Health Solutions and Self-Assessment of Their IT Competence.

In many countries, the implementation and dissemination of e-services for healthcare systems are important aspects of projects and strategies, as they contribute to significantly improving the access to such a system. The aim of the study is to analyze nurses' opinions on the application of the e-health solutions at work and the self-assessment of their IT competence. A linear stepwise regression allowed for the visualization of independent variables significantly influencing considerably the level of IT competency. Reduced IT competency was found in the group of nurses who rated the impact of the Internet and the new technologies as lower on the health care and general lives of modern people (ß = 0.203; p < 0.0001), recommended e-health solutions to a lesser extent (ß = 0.175; p < 0.0001), rated e-health solutions lower in relation to the patient (ß = 0.149; p < 0.0001), and were older in age (ß = 0.095; p = 0.0032). IT competence has become an indispensable requirement for nurses in fulfilling their professional roles. The quality of using new technologies in the work of nurses depends on their IT competence.

The LEAF questionnaire is a good screening tool for the identification of the Female Athlete Triad/Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport among young football players.

BACKGROUND: It has been noticed that Female Athlete Triad (Fat) and Relative Energy Deficiency (Red-S) in Sport are characterized by the symptoms of impaired endocrine-metabolic function and bone health in female athletes. In addition, it may be evaluated with a qualitative tool, such as Low Energy Availability in Females questionnaire (LEAF-Q) and quantitative measurements: bone mineral density (BMD), resting energy expenditure (REE), body composition, 24-hour dietary recall. METHODS: The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of Triad and Red-S using the LEAF-Q in youth female football players. Additionally, the difference in the BMD, body composition, REE and energy intake (EI) were assessed between the Triad/Red-S risk and not at-risk groups. RESULTS: Almost two thirds (64.7%) of participants are classified as being at-risk for the triad according to their LEAF-Q scores. There were no statistically significant differences (p > 0.05) between most of the values among children from the analyzed groups. There was a statistically significant difference (p < 0.001) between the EI values among girls from the two analyzed groups: at-risk (1,773.18 kcal ±  232.57) and not at-risk (2,054.00 kcal ±  191.39). Girls who did not meet the energy intake recommendations were 10.00 as likely to be in the Triad/Red-S risk group. CONCLUSION: Early identification of Fat/Red-S symptoms by screening tools such as the LEAF questionnaire is important in protecting young athletes from long-term damage due to the progression of the risk factors associated with the Fat/Red-S.