Segmental Phase Angle and Body Composition Fluctuation of Elite Ski Jumpers between Summer and Winter FIS Competitions.

(1) Background: The purpose of this study was to observe segmental phase angle (PhA) and body composition fluctuation of elite ski jumpers. (2) Methods: In the study, 12 professional ski jumpers took part. Body composition was estimated with segmental multi-frequency bioelectrical impedance analysis. Repeated ANOVA was used to check the parameters' variability in time. The symmetry between the right and left side of the body was verified with the t-test for dependent samples. Pearson's linear correlation coefficient was calculated. (3) Results: The most stable parameter was body weight. An increase in the visceral fat area was noted, the fat-free mass dropped, and significant changes were noted in the internal and external cell water parameters. Parameters connected with water between the right and left side of the body were symmetrical. Significant correlation between PhA values and body parameters with regard to fat tissue and PhA values of the legs was noticed when PhA was measured at 50 kHz. (4) Conclusions: PhA could be considered as a ski jumper body symmetry monitoring tool. The described relationship may be useful for the assessment of body fat change, which, in the case of jumpers, is crucial. Moreover, our data suggest that segmental PhA evaluation could be a good solution for ski jumpers as a confirmation if lowered body mass and low BMI are still healthy and increase the chance for longer jumps and good performance.

Diet and Physical Activity as Determinants of Lifestyle Chosen by Women from Southern Poland.

The aim of the study was to assess the relationship between the lifestyle of Polish women (characterized by the quality of diets and levels of reported physical activity) and their characteristics such as age, place of residence, physical activity at work or school, reported health status, and BMI. The sample consisted of 882 women from Southern Poland. Diet quality and the level of physical activity were evaluated by the Nutrition Beliefs Questionnaire established by the Polish Academy of Sciences. The lifestyle category (healthy, moderate, or unhealthy) was based on "Prohealthy Diet Index-10" and participant's self-assessed physical activity during their leisure-time. The lifestyle category was significantly associated with age, BMI, physical activity at work/school, and health. Moderate lifestyle (high or moderate levels of physical activity combined with low prohealthy diet) was the most commonly found classification in examined women. Age (>35 years old) and overweight are the main factors determining unhealthy lifestyle behavior. Healthy lifestyle is more often chosen by the women from big cities. More intensive efforts should be undertaken to increase the knowledge and awareness of the health benefits of a healthy lifestyle. The main goal should be concentrated on increasing the level of physical activity, especially in leisure time, and promoting the tenets of a well-balanced diet.

Dietary intake of antioxidants and fats in the context of coronary heart disease prevention among elderly people.

INTRODUCTION: Some literature data indicate that the proper intake of exogenic antioxidants from food and the proper intake of fats can offer significant protection against coronary heart disease. OBJECTIVES: The estimation of total antioxidant capacity of food intake on the basis of Dietary Antioxidant Index (DAI), together with an assessment of the contribution of particular food products in DAI, and the evaluation of consumption of all dietary fats and frequency of consumption of products that are a source of fats among elderly people in Krakow, Poland. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 143 persons (73 women and 70 men) aged 65-80 were studied. None of them was under specialist medical control, including cardiological control. DAI was investigated on the basis of the Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) which included 145 food items. DAI was measured using the method by Benzi and expressed as FRAP (the ability to reduce Fe3+ to Fe2+, measured in mMol/l). The daily intake of fats was estimated using the 24-h nutritional recall. The frequency of fats consumption was estimated with the usage of FFQ. For statistical analysis, χ2 test was used. RESULTS: The mean value of DAI of all studied persons was 34.27 + 11.72 mMol/l. The largest percentage of those studied had FRAP values in the range 25-35 mMol/l. The highest contribution in the total DAI value was found in fruit (36.2%), grains and cereal-based products (23.6%), and beverages (24.0%). The consumption of vegetables was on the fourth position (7.1%). The contribution of the remaining food products was low. The consumption of total fats (about 70g/24h) and saturated fatty acids (14% of energetic value) exceeded the recommendations. The participation of mono-and polyunsaturated fatty acids in the diets was not in accordance with recommendations. The most frequently consumed fats were animal fats (sausages, butter) and cakes, but the consumption of vegetable oils, fish, nuts and seeds of oil plants was too low. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of elderly people made mistakes in their nutrition. The enrichment in natural antioxidants of the diets of elderly people and the normalization of their fats consumption should become an important element of primary and secondary prophylaxis of cardiovascular diseases.

Breakfast and Other Meal Consumption in Adolescents from Southern Poland.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the frequency of breakfast and other meal consumption by adolescents and to assess the relationship between the first and the last meal consumption and sex, body mass index (BMI), and middle school and high school students' education level. The study was conducted in 2013-2014 among 3009 students (1658 girls and 1351 boys) from middle s and high schools in Krakow and Silesia (Poland). The data was obtained from questionnaires that were analyzed with a logistic regression model for measurable and dichotomous variables. Breakfast consumers were seen to eat other meals (second breakfast, lunch, dessert, supper) significantly more often than breakfast skippers. The main meal consumption habits depend on sex and change as adolescents age. Being a girl and a high school student predisposed participants to skip breakfast and supper more often. The BMI of breakfast consumers does not differ significantly from the BMI of breakfast skippers, so BMI might thus not be a sufficient marker of breakfast consumption regularity and dietary habits in an adolescent group. The importance of regularly eaten meals, especially breakfast, together with adequate daily dietary energy intake are beneficial for physical and psychological development and cannot be overestimated in nutritional education and it is necessary to promote healthy eating behavior for well-being in later adult life.

Micronutrients and macronutrients and parameters of antioxidative ability in saliva of women: inhabitants of Krakow (Poland) in the course of uncomplicated singleton pregnancy.

There were two aims of the present study: (1) to evaluate changes of superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and total antioxidative status measured as the ferric reducing ability of plasma (FRAP) concentration in saliva of pregnant women during the first, second, and third trimesters of singleton uncomplicated pregnancy and (2) to assess possible relations among SOD, FRAP, and intake of macronutrients and micronutrients in daily nutritional rations (DNRs) during pregnancy. Forty pregnant women aged 27.1+/-5.4 yr (examined group) and 40 healthy women (the control group) were recruited for this study. The relationship between FRAP and SOD in saliva and the intake of macronutrients (proteins, carbohydrates, total fat, saturated fatty acid, monounsaturated fatty acids, polyunsaturated fatty acids), minerals (Na, K, Ca, P, Mg, Fe, Zn, Cu, Mn), and vitamins (A, C, E, B1, B2, B6, PP) in DNR was evaluated by clustering analysis with Ward's grouping method. During pregnancy, FRAP and SOD values were lower than in the controls, but only for FRAP were the differences statistically significant (p < 0.001). For the whole pregnancy period, cluster analysis identified two major clusters for which the differentiating variables were SOD and retinoids intake, but different patterns for each trimester of pregnancy were revealed. The following were concluded: (1) FRAP values were the lowest in the second trimester. It suggests that in this trimester of uncomplicated pregnancy, women might be not fully adapted to increased demands for antioxidative mechanisms. (2) Cluster analysis showed that there were no statistical relationships between the intake of micronutrients and macronutrients in DNRs and the SOD or FRAP level in the saliva of pregnant women.

[Dietary assessment of pregnant women with different anthropometric measures]. / Sposób zywienia kobiet w ciazy a wybrane wskazniki antropometryczne.

Dietary assessment of pregnant women influences very strongly the fetus development and is very important for nutritional status of pregnant women after delivery. The aim of presented studies was the comparison of diet of women with different weight gain during pregnancy. In every trimester of pregnancy anthropometric measurement (height, weight, skinfolds thickness, body fat) were made. Depending on pre-pregnancy BMI (body mass index) weight increase during whole pregnancy was considered as correct, if was similar to recommendations of The Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Science or wrong when was different from recommendations mentioned above. Dietary assessment was estimated by the 24 hour recall method. Energy intake, as well as intake of protein, carbohydrates, fatty acids and fiber was established for all women. There were examined 97 women, living in Krakow. Three times (in every trimester) were examined 27 women. There were 6 women with excess weight gain (two overweight, one obese, three with proper pre-pregnant BMI). The average weight gain was 15.4 kg (8.4-24.2 kg). The subcutaneous fat deposition did not change in pregnancy in group of women with excess weight gain because the skinfolds thickness did not change significantly. There were also no significant differences in dietary assessment of women with correct and incorrect weight gain. The average energy, protein, carbohydrates and fiber intakes were similar to nutritional recommendations for pregnant women. Fatty acids intake was excessive in both groups of examined women. Presented studies indicates that diet is only one from large number of factors which influences the pregnancy outcome.

[Social support and proper human relations in high school pupils in relation to psychosomatic disease prevention]. / Wsparcie spoleczne oraz prawidlowe relacje interpersonalne licealistów krakowskich w aspekcie prewencji chorób o podlozu psychosomatycznym.

The examination concerned 313 girls and boys from the second and third class of the secondary schools in Kraków. The translated German version questionnaire "Woman Self Image and Social Ideal" was used in the examination; mainly its parts such as: 1. "The social support" which includes 22 questions. 2. "Human Relations" which includes 64 questions. The five step scale of feeling was applied. One of the five possibilities was chosen by the examined persons and analysed. Stepwise regression was performed. More than half of the examined pupils have a good friend, who is helpful any time and who has never lets them down. They are relaxed with him, may discuss important problems and can give him charge over their home in their absence. 5% of the examined pupils could not share psychological problems with any friends and 10% could not count on house or flat care. 10% of pupils often felt as outsiders among other young people, while 1/3 did not experience such a feeling. The need of better understanding, care and support in the family and from close acquaintances was observed by 15%. Simultaneously only 14% claimed that relation in this matter were satisfactory. 19% of examined persons wanted more safety and friendship. Only 14% had a feeling of full safety. Juveniles most often claimed, that it is not difficult for them to buy a gift for another person (71% vs 2%), or cherish happiness of other people (67% vs 0.3%), and to express sympathy to others (65% vs 2.8%). More than half of the respondents judge themselves as non-aggressive against others, that they do not place their own needs above other peoples' needs, and that they are not afraid of contact with others. The frequency of choosing opposite extreme did not exceed 5% of the respondents. With the majority of questions we found a number of answers regarding discussed problem, ex. accepting orders from superiors (never--28%, sometimes--28%, average--21%, often--12%, very often--11%). In analogical proportions we found answers regarding such facts as a being strong and steady person, without bothering of hurting somebody's feelings or taking care of their own goals when anyone else is in need. We showed very differentiated, individual approach of examined adolescents to matters regarding their relations with people important for shaping their attitude towards life. It was also shown, that most of the 16-17 year old adolescents from Krakow enjoy a satisfactory relationship with people important in their lives, on the other hand, it is distressing that almost 20% of the examined pupils do not get enough support, care, safety and understanding either from their peers, families or adults.

[Do young people feel the need for social support in our time?]. / Czy wspólczesna mlodziez odczuwa potrzebe wsparcia spolecznego?

The aim of the work was determination of the connection between young people and people important in their lives among persons of the same age and among adults by the use of the "Social Support" questionnaire that is one of the four parts of translated version of German inquiry "Woman Self Image and Social Ideal". There were 713 persons included in the examinations divided into 2 groups: I--313 pupils including 128 boys and 185 girls. They were pupils of second and third forms of secondary schools in Cracow; II--400 students, 106 male students and 294 female students, all of them were from Faculty of Medicine and from the faculty of health Protection of Collegium Medicum of Jagiellonian University. The questionnaire included 22 questions and had five-grade scale of intensity of feelings: does not concern, a little, moderately, concerns, definitely concerns. The positive result of the examination is the statement that more than the half of the examined persons--both pupils and students--has a reliable friend in every situation; feels well and relaxed with this person; may trust him/her, discuss difficult problems and get keys from one's flat during being away. On the other hand the frequency of answers showing important problems in this matter is still distressingly high. The need of better understanding and care from the family was declared by about 15% of examined persons. 19% of pupils and 22% of students wanted bigger safety and close relationship. At the same time the safety, understanding and care was experienced by less than 20% of examined persons. The fact of isolation from the group and the feeling of being an outsider declared 10% of young people. The examinations show that problems with adjusting to the requirements of an adult life, finding the place and defining one's role in the surrounding reality concerns not only a part of secondary school pupils but older than that--students of Faculty of Medicine.

[The changes in personality in the aspect of incorrect nutritional habits among Cracovian students and secondary school pupils]. / Zmiany osobowosci w aspekcie nieprawidlowych nawyków zywieniowych wsród Krakowskich studentów i licealistów.

The aim of this work was the comparison of the degree of spreading of incorrect nutritional model among students and secondary school pupils. There were 1080 persons included in the examination: 637 students of Collegium Medicum of Jagiellonian University (478 female students and 159 male students) and 421 of Cracow secondary school pupils (254 schoolgirls and 167 schoolboys). The examinations were based on the Woman Self Image and Social Ideal questionnaire and precisely on its part containing Eating Disorders Inventory (EDI). BMI (Body Mass Index) was used as the indicator of the nutritional status. BMI < 18.5 were more often stated by women (27.6% of schoolgirls and 12.5% of female students) than by men (both schoolboys and male students--6.5%). Overweight (BMI >25) was stated by 2.8 of schoolgirls and 8.8% of female students and by 6.6% of schoolboys and 15.7% of male students. The answers given in the questionnaire by schoolchildren and students lead to the conclusion that schoolchildren are more imperilled by eating disorders than students. More or less 20% of schoolchildren with BMI <20 kg/m2 is not satisfied with their body shape. In spite of too low body mass they think that they have too big stomach, too fat hips and thighs and are eager to lose weight.