Long-term changes in body proportions since 1983 to 2010 in children and adolescents from Kraków (Poland).

SUMMARY: The aim of the study was to assess changes in body proportions and the rate of growth in boys and girls from the population of Kraków (Poland) in the years 1983-2010. The children and adolescents analyzed in this study were included in three cross-sectional surveys conducted in Kraków in 1983, 2000 and 2010. The sample sizes were the following: 3,214 boys and 3,250 girls in 1983, 2,381 boys and 2,096 girls in 2000, 1,889 boys and 1,989 girls in 2010. The comparison of selected features and indices were made: subischial leg length, biacromial width, biiliac width, reciprocal ponderal index, skelic index, pelvi-acromial index, shoulder-height ratio, pelvis-height ratio. To analyze the rate of growth the modeling functions of Preece-Baines (PB1) were used. Over the analyzed period, the children and adolescents from Kraków showed a positive secular trend for all the analyzed traits, especially consistent in the width of the pelvis and shoulders. The acceleration of development was reflected in the earlier pubertal spurt in the studied lengths and widths. The changes in body proportions showed a tendency to more slender body proportions in children between 3 and 8 years of age in girls and after puberty, and the relative shortening of the lower limbs. In the group of boys, there was a distinct widening of hips and pelvis, more pronounced than in height. In girls, similar changes were noted only until the period of puberty, and throughout the entire duration of ontogeny for the shoulders-height ratio.

Physical fitness of overweight and underweight preschool children from southern Poland.

SUMMARY: The main aim of this study was to assess differences in the level of physical fitness between children of preschool age with different BMI, as overweight and obesity are an increasing problem even in this age group. The study group consisted of 3,945 children aged 4 to 6 years living in southern Poland. Analysis included the results of body height and weight measurements (from which BMI was calculated) and motor skills tests: sit-and-reach test, standing broad jump and handgrip strength. Children were grouped according to the Obesity Task Force categories. Significant differences in body height were visible (i) between overweight and normal children and (ii) between overweight and underweight children. In terms of body weight and BMI, significant differences existed between all groups. With regard to fitness tests, the greatest differences were observed for handgrip strength and standing broad jump. The sit-and-reach test did not reveal any differences between the groups. The results showed that overall physical fitness was negatively correlated with relative weight; general fitness in overweight children was lower than in normal or underweight children. As it is obvious that physical activity is indispensable even for preschool children, any increase in physical activity could at least partially alleviate the problem of excessive weight and improve the general fitness of children. In the future this would reduce the incidence of diseases related to obesity and a lack of exercise.

Time trends in BMI, body fatness, and adiposity rebound among boys from Kraków (Poland) from 1983 to 2010.

OBJECTIVES: The prevalence of childhood obesity has been increasing during the last decades in many countries, but less is known about secular trends in growth curves covering the whole childhood span. The main purpose of this study was to explore changes in body weight, height, BMI, percent body fat (%BF), adiposity rebound (AR), and pubertal timing in boys from Kraków between 1983 and 2010. METHODS: Totally, 4,986 boys (3-18 years) were measured during cross-sectional studies. Using the results of height, weight, and skinfold measurements, BMI and %BF were calculated. The LMS method was used to construct BMI and %BF percentiles. Three cut-off points were distinguished in individual age groups of the subjects-below the 15th percentile, 50th percentile, and above the 85th percentile. The mean age at pubarche was calculated by the probit method. RESULTS: The boys from 2010 were taller and heavier than the boys from 1983. Before the time of AR, boys from 2010 had lower BMI, but after AR had higher BMI than boys from 1983. An earlier AR appeared in all BMI 2010 percentile curves as compared to 1983. The boys from 2010 also showed an acceleration of sexual maturation and earlier Tanner Stage II, equaling 11.80 years. CONCLUSIONS: In boys from 2010, AR occurs earlier than in boys from 1983. Changes in timing of AR cannot be explained only by changes in degree of body adiposity. Early AR could be a marker of the acceleration of development.

Long-term changes in BMI and adiposity rebound among girls from Kraków (Poland) over the last 30 years (from 1983 to 2010).

BACKGROUND: Early adiposity rebound (AR, below 5 years) is an important predictor of adult obesity. OBJECTIVES: The main purpose of this study was to explore changes in body weight and height, BMI, body fat, and AR timing in girls from Krakow within the last 3 decades. METHODS: 1,970 girls were measured in 2010. Using the results of body height, weight and skin folds measurements, the BMI and %BF was calculated. The LMS method was used to constructed BMI and %BF centiles. Three fractions were distinguished in individual age groups of the subjects-below the 15th percentile (underweight girls), 50th percentile and above 85th percentile (overweight girls). These data were compared with the results from previous survey series (1983 and 2000). The mean age of the menarche onset were calculated by means of the probit method. RESULTS: The girls from last series are taller and heavier than girls measured in 1983. Before the time of AR, girls from last series have lowest BMI and %BF than girls from the first series. In spite of this, all girls measured in 2010 have the time of AR earlier than girls measured in 1983. The girls from the last series of measurements showed also acceleration of sexual maturation and the average menarche age was the earliest in them and equalled 12.68 years. CONCLUSIONS: AR cannot be explained only by changes in body adiposity. Early AR could be a marker of acceleration of development already in an early postnatal ontogenesis.

[The role of health education in promotion of health-related fitness concept]. / Rola edukacji zdrowotnej w promowaniu koncepcji "health-related fitness".

One of the most important objectives of health education is to shape the habits of attention to positive physical health, which determines the low risk of health problems, particularly in later life. Therefore, an important indicator of correct pro-health behaviors is to maintain an appropriate ratio between body weight and height, as well as maintaining fat distribution indices (BMI, WHR) at the appropriate level. Aim of this paper is to attempt a synthetic view of the health-related fineness--its development, and maintenance level for life in the context of the objectives of health education. The results of children and adolescents and the population of adult males from Cracow indicate that the percentage of children with elevated values of the fat distribution indices (BMI, WHR) between 8 and 19 years is systematically reduced in relation to international standards. At the same time in the adult male population dramatically increased to almost 50% in the group of men after the age of 50. This implies that educational activities related to the promotion of healthy lifestyle and maintain appropriate physical activity can not be finished at the stage of school education, but must also continue at a later date.

[Man's unhealthy behaviours--somatic and motor level]. / Zachowaniaantyzdrowotne mezczyzn a zmienne somatyczne i motoryczne.

Unhealthy behaviours directly or indirectly flu on health deterioration. The aim of this work was analysis of man's from Cracow unhealthy behaviours in their life style and establishing relations between presented behaviours, body builds and results of motor efficiency tests. It was analysed 1453 adult man aged 18-70. Frequency of smoking is lowering with age, significantly increase the percent of non-smoking. Similarly frequency of regularly drinking is lowering and it's growing abstinence. With age its observed increase of obesity and overweight (from 12,1% in age 20 to 74% in age 60). Normalised results of motor fitness efficiency tests (standing board jump, sit and rich, tapping) were analysed in relations to WHR category, category of waist circumference, category of BMI, category of smoking and drinking. Only standing board jump significantly depends from BMI category.

[Youth drinking as en example of relationship between risk behaviour and knowledge on its effects]. / Zaleznosc pomiedzy podejmowaniem zachowan ryzykownych a wiedza na ich temat na przykladzie piciaalkoholu przez mlodziez.

Using psychoactive substances like smoking, drinking or drugs are most common risky behaviour. In the article only drinking as an examples was analysed. Knowledge about alcohol health effects and its dependence on undertaking risky behaviour, alcohol-advertisement perception, sex and group were analysed. Between 2001 and 2005 343 sportsmen and 400 students as a control group were participated in research. Questionnaire diagnosed alcohol-related behaviour and alcohol-advertisement perceptions were used. Knowledge about effects of alcohol acting contains 11 questions. Chi-square test and multifactor analysis of variances were used. Results show that knowledge level depends only from group belonging and is higher in students than sportsmen. Susceptibility to undertaking risky behaviour occurs more frequently in control than in sport group, in man then woman, and in person with who pay attention to alcohol advertisements.