The diet structure and body mass index among Polish preschool children in relation to their place of residence.

INTRODUCTION AND AIM: Proper nutritional status in early childhood makes it possible for children to achieve their genetically-determined growth potential and intelligence. A child's nutritional status is due to economic, cultural, psychosocial and geographic factors. The present study aims to check whether the nutritional status of preschoolers differs depending on their place of residence. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In order to achieve this goal we used 24-h dietary recalls to assess the children's diet based on interviews with 530 mothers of preschool children from five different regions of Poland. Moreover, the children's BMIs were calculated. RESULTS: We found differences in the level of anthropometric indicators, diet structure and what percentage of the estimated average requirement for energy was met depending on the region where the children live. Youngsters from the western region of Poland had significantly higher BMIs than those from other regions. What is more, the percentage of meeting the estimated average requirement for energy and the percentage of calories from carbohydrates was higher among children from the western region, as compared with preschoolers from other areas of the country. The amount of fats and protein in the diet of children from western Poland, in turn, was significantly lower as compared with the diet of their peers from other regions. CONCLUSIONS: The present study provides evidence that the nutritional status of children should be analyzed in the context of their place of residence. Thus, the differences between regions and their impact on the health status of their inhabitants should be taken into account when designing preventive or corrective measures.

[Application of job demands-resources model in research on relationships between job satisfaction, job resources, individual resources and job demands]. / Zastosowanie modelu "wymagania pracy - zasoby" do badania zwiazku miedzy satysfakcja zawodowa, zasobami pracy, zasobami osobistymi pracowników i wymaganiami pracy.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to explore the relationships between job demands, job resourses, personal resourses and job satisfaction and to assess the usefulness of the Job Demands-Resources (JD-R) model in the explanation of these phenomena. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The research was based on a sample of 500 social workers. The "Psychosocial Factors" and "Job satisfaction" questionnaires were used to test the hypothesis. RESULTS: The results showed that job satisfaction increased with increasing job accessibility and personal resources (r = 0.44; r = 0.31; p < 0.05). The analysis of variance (ANOVA) indicated that job resources and job demands [F(1.474) = 4.004; F(1.474) = 4.166; p < 0.05] were statistically significant sources of variation in job satisfaction. Moreover, interactions between job demands and job resources [F(3,474) = 2.748; p <0.05], as well as between job demands and personal resources [F(3.474) = 3.021; p <0.05] had a significant impact on job satisfaction. The post hoc tests showed that 1) in low job demands, but high job resources employees declared higher job satisfaction, than those who perceived them as medium (p = 0.0001) or low (p = 0.0157); 2) when the level of job demands was perceived as medium, employees with high personal resources declared significantly higher job satisfaction than those with low personal resources (p = 0.0001). CONCLUSION: The JD-R model can be used to investigate job satisfaction. Taking into account fundamental factors of this model, in organizational management there are possibilities of shaping job satisfaction among employees.

[Questionnaires for assessment of work-related psychosocial hazards--a review of diagnostic tools]. / Narzedzia kwestionariuszowe stosowane w diagnozie psychospolecznych zagrozen zawodowych--przeglad metod.

Holistic management of the organization also covers psychosocial risk management. Gathering information about psychosocial work-related hazards is the first step of the psychosocial risk management. In this process, the identification of the occupational indicators on work-related stress must be done. The paper presents a review of the measures available to assess psychosocial work-related hazards which are available in Poland. The following measures are included: Psychosocial Working Conditions, Effort-Reward Imbalance (ERI), Subjective Assessment Work Characteristics Questionnaire, Objective Work Characteristics Questionnaire, HSE Indicator Tool, Brief Scale of Vocational Stress, questionnaire "Psychosocial Factors" and Questionnaire of Occupational Burdens in Teaching. Besides the basic information about the measures (e.g. scales, examples of items, psychometric parameters), critical assessment of each measure in relation to its usefulness is also provided. The main conclusion is that a well-specified goal of diagnosis and planned intervention is the key issue while choosing a questionnaire. The review of tools available in Poland can be of great help for occupational health and safety professionals, and support them in the work aimed at improvement of psychosocial working-conditions.

[Occupational stress, coping styles and eating habits among Polish employees]. / Stres oraz sposoby radzenia sobie z nim a nawyki zywieniowe wsród osób pracujacych.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the study was to analyze potential relations between occupational stress, coping styles and ing habits. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Questionnaires administered to 160 public administration employees allowed for assessing eating habits, occupational stress and coping styles. RESULTS: The eating habits correlated with work stress (ro-Spearman's = 0.17-0.29). More unhealthy eating patterns were observed in employees characterized by a higher level of stress. Such stressors as overload, lack of control over work and inappropriate work organization were especially related to poorer eating habits. Among the analyzed coping styles, focusing on emotions (ro-S = 0.19) and searching for emotional support most significantly correlated with poorer eating behaviors (ro-S = 0.16). There were statistically significant differences in eating habits, depending on the level of job stress (U = 1583.50, p < 0.05). Employees with high job stress had a stronger tendency to habitual and emotional eating more than those with a medium level of job stress. CONCLUSION: The relationship between subjective assessment of job stress, coping and eating habits has been confirmed. Taking into account the role of stress and coping, as the potential determinants of eating patterns in humans, more attention should be paid to education and promotion of knowledge about the relationship between stress and human eating behaviors to prevent obesity and eating disorders.

[What do we know about psychosocial risk factors at work? Part I. Theoretical considerations]. / Co wiemy o psychospolecznych zagrozeniach w srodowisku pracy? Czesc I. Rozwazania teoretyczne.

A growing interest in the development and implementation of preventive programs at workplace has recently been observed. According to the modern model of occupational health protection, recognition, monitoring and elimination of any potential risks at work are obligatory. This means that occupational health prevention also addresses the issue of psychosocial risks at work. There is a need of common understanding what the psychosocial risks are and how they affect human functioning to prevent them adequately and effectively. The aim of the paper is to present the present knowledge of psychosocial factors at work in a systematic way.

[What do we know about psychosocial risks at work? Part II.The analysis of employee's knowledge of sources and consequences of stress at work]. / Co wiemy o psychospolecznych zagrozeniach w srodowisku pracy? Czesc II. Badanie swiadomosci pracowników.

BACKGROUND: Psychosocial risks at work are the challenge facing the occupational health and safety protection. They are seen as a threat to the employees' health and functioning. They also contribute to negative outcomes in the organizations. The study was focused on the assessment of employees' knowledge of occupational stressors, their consequences and preventive measures. The assessment results will help in the development of an educational program aimed at increasing awareness of occupational stress among employees. MATERIAL AND METHOD: 210 employees participated in the study. By the mean of survey "Psychosocial Risks at Work-place" the information on the respondents' knowledge of occupational stress issues was collected. RESULTS: Stressors intrinsic to the job (mostly work overload) were recognized as best known to employees (67.62%). The second place was occupied by stressors originating from interpersonal relationships at work (51.9% of respondents pointed out that problem). Almost no one (0.48%) mentioned home-work interference as a source of occupational stress. According to the respondents' opinion, occupational stress mostly results in health decline. The employees who participated in the study believe that the employer (13.81%) or the superior (19.05%) is responsible for psychosocial risks prevention at the work place. Almost a half of subjects (46.67%) did not know whether there are any law regulations on psychosocial risk at work in Poland. CONCLUSIONS: The respondents showed an average level of knowledge of psychosocial risk at the work place and knew almost nothing about occupational stress prevention. The results of the study point to the need for systematic education of employees about stress and stress related issues.

Self-image and quality of life of dermatology patients.

OBJECTIVES: The problems of self-image among patients with dermal problems have been seldom explored. As dermal diseases detrimentally affect well-being, functioning and adaptation of dermatology patients, they may decrease the level of self-acceptance. Self-image, on the other hand, may significantly affect the own mental health status and quality of life (QoL) in that group of patients. The aim of our research was to assess mental health status and quality of life of patients with dermal problems in respect of the level of their self-acceptance. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The participants were patients of the Occupational Diseases Outpatient Clinic and the Occupational and Environmental Allergy Centre of the Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine (NIOM). In total, 112 patients were examined, including 37 with diagnosed urticaria, 50 with allergic contact dermatitis and 25 with atopic dermatitis. General Health Questionnaire (GHQ) was used to assess patients' mental health, a Polish version of Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) was employed for the assessment of their life quality, while Self-Acceptance Scale (SAS) served to obtain patients' self-image. RESULTS: There were statistically significant differences in the assessment of mental health and quality of life, depending on the level of self-acceptance. People with high self-acceptance are characterised by better mental health condition than those with low self-acceptance (t=4.8; p=0.00). The patients with negative self-image (compared to those with positive self-image) deem also their quality of life to be poor (t=3.1; p=0.00). CONCLUSION: A relationship has been found to exist both between mental health condition and the subjective assessment of life quality, and self-image. Thus, both patient's mental health status and his/her self image constitute major determinants of the quality of life that are worth to be monitored in dermatology patients. Their treatment procedure should include also psychological consulting or psychotherapy.

[Psychological factors in allergic skin diseases]. / Czynniki psychologiczne w przebiegu chorób alergicznych skóry.

BACKGROUND: Over recent years, increasing attention has been given to the impact of psychological factors on the onset and course of many illnesses. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In total, 112 patients underwent psychological interview, including 37 with diagnosed urticaria, 50 with allergic contact dermatitis and 25 with atopic dermatitis. General Health Questionnaire (GHQ) was used to determine patients' mental condition and Profile of Mood States (POMS) to measure subjects' affective states. The level of self-acceptance was assessed with the Self-Assessment Scale (SAS). The dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) was employed to measure the effects of skin disease on patients' physical and social functioning. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Patients with skin diseases have significantly lower level of: self-acceptance, self-knowledge and feeling of self-effectiveness than healthy controls. Skin disorders such as urticaria, allergic contact dermatitis and atopic dermatitis reduced patients' quality of life, especially in professional activities. The most extensive disturbances in physical and psychosocial functioning were observed in subjects with allergic contact dermatitis and atopic dermatitis. Patients with skin diseases, especially those with allergic contact dermatitis and urticaria have a higher prevalence of psychiatric disorders than the general population.

Differences in nutritional status of preschool children in the context of the maternal social characteristics.

OBJECTIVES: It is generally accepted that maternal factors are important in maintaining the adequate nutritional status of young children. This study was aimed at verifying whether mother's socio-demographic (age and relationship status) and socio-economic features (education and professional status) differentiate the child's nutritional status. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted between April and October 2013. Five hundred thirty mothers of preschool children from 5 different regions of Poland were interviewed. Mothers were interviewed on their socio-demographic and socio-economic status. To assess the child's nutritional status, body mass index (BMI) z-score and the diet indicators were calculated, such as the percentage of the estimated average requirement for energy (%EAR), the percentage of energy coming from carbohydrates (%EC), fat (%ET) and proteins (%EP). Percentage of the estimated average requirement for energy, %EC, %ET and %EP was obtained from 24-h dietary recalls conducted with the mothers. RESULTS: The results showed that mother's education and professional status did not differentiate any of the indices of the child's nutritional status. However, maternal age and her relationship status occurred significant (ANOVA; p < 0.05). Children of younger mothers had higher BMI z-score and higher %EC as compared to children of older mothers. Moreover, %EAR was higher among children of single mothers and it was closer to the recommended nutrition standards as compared to children of mothers with a partner. CONCLUSIONS: When a child is diagnosed with any type of malnutrition, it is worth assessing various factors that might influence the nutritional status, such as child's social background (e.g., maternal factors). Int J Occup Med Environ Health 2017;30(5):811-821.

Development and validation of the Eating Maturity Questionnaire: Preliminary findings.

This article describes the development of the Eating Maturity Questionnaire, a self-reported measurement of eating maturity that initiates and gives direction to human eating behaviors. The Eating Maturity Questionnaire was designed to study individuals' biological and psychosocial motives for eating. The Eating Maturity Questionnaire is a 21-item tool with satisfactory psychometric values (Cronbach's α coefficients between 0.83 and 0.88) consisting of two subscales: Rational Eating and Psychosocial Maturity Eating Maturity Questionnaire results may be used to design programs that target eating behaviors and body mass modification.

Polish Mother and Child Cohort Study (REPRO_PL) - Methodology of the follow-up of the children at the age of 7.

Effects of environmental exposures in utero and in the first years of life on early life health and development is a growing research area with major public health implications. The main aim of this work has been to provide an overview of the next step of the Polish Mother and Child Cohort Study (REPRO_PL) covering exposure, health and neurodevelopment assessments of children at 7 years of age. Details regarding methodology of the follow-up of the children are crucial for cross-cohort collaboration and a full understanding of the future research questions. Phase III of the REPRO_PL cohort covers a follow-up of 900 children at the age of 7 years old. The questionnaire filled in by the mothers is composed of: socio-demographic, child exposure and home environment information, nutritional status and health data. In the case of 400 children, environmental (including collection of urine, saliva and buccal cells), health status and psychomotor assessments are performed. Health and development check consists of physical measurements, child health status assessment (including lung function tests, skin prick testing, an interview/examination by an allergist) and psychomotor development tests (the Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire and the Intelligence and Development Scales). The results of the study will become available within the next few years. Extension of the REPRO_PL cohort with examinations of children at the age of 7 years old may provide a better understanding of the relationship between environmental and lifestyle-related factors and children's health and neurodevelopment; and may further strengthen scientific base for policies and interventions promoting healthy lifestyle. Int J Occup Med Environ Health 2016;29(6):883-893.