Everyday challenges faced by Polish teenagers during the COVID-19 pandemic in the context of selected demographic factors.

BACKGROUND: The enforced restrictions, including physical isolation and school lockdowns after the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, have brought about anxiety and uncertainty the younger generation. OBJECTIVE: The main objective is to analyse the everyday challenges faced by adolescents in Poland during the time of social isolation in the COVID-19 pandemic. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A nationwide, online survey of adolescents aged 11-18 (N=2408) was conducted in April 2020. Quantitative and qualitative analyses were undertaken. Differences in the everyday challenges experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic connected with gender, age and place of residence were analysed. RESULTS: Girls were significantly more likely than boys to perceive the limitations in contacts with others (friends and family) and the concerns about the health of relatives as a big difficulty. Among the youngest students (11-12 years of age), the lack of contact with friends and family and worries about their health and the fear of infection ranked higher than for other students. For the oldest (17-18) the lack of private time and space and not being able to meet one's boyfriend/ girlfriend were the most troublesome. The necessity to stay at home and the inconvenience resulting from the lack of outdoor exercise were ranked higher by urban students than by students living in rural areas. CONCLUSIONS: When planning campaigns in the near future to support the mental health of adolescents in the context of the pandemic it is recommended to include especially the youngest adolescents and those living in small and medium-sized cities.

Psychosocial Determinants of Adolescents' Cyberbullying Involvement-The Role of Body Satisfaction.

BACKGROUND: Although the relationship between adolescents' body image and cyberviolence has been proved, little is known about the place of body image among other psychosocial determinants. The study aimed to assess the relationship between body satisfaction and cyberbullying in the context of other psychosocial factors. METHODS: We used data of 5817 adolescents (47.6% boys, mean age = 15.43) from the survey conducted in 2018 in Poland as a part of the Health Behaviour in School-Aged Children. Four groups of cyberbullying involvement were defined: only bullies, only victims, both bullies and victims, and not involved. Body satisfaction and ten other independent variables were classified as sociodemographic, socioeconomic, individual and social factors. A series of multinomial logistic regression models were estimated and compared using the pseudo R-sq Nagelkerke coefficient. RESULTS: Although family support seemed to be the most protective, the findings have proved that body satisfaction reduces significantly the risk of cyberbullying. The relationship was more pronounced in victims and bully-victims. A slightly stronger protective effect of body satisfaction has been observed in boys. CONCLUSIONS: The strengthening of body image may be an effective measure to prevent adolescents' cyberbullying, as well as to bring about improvements in social support, connections to others, and school performance.

Nutrition and physical activity environments in primary schools in Poland - COSI study.

INTRODUCTION: Schools are important settings for the promotion of healthy diet and sufficient physical activity to prevent civilisation diseases related to lifestyle. OBJECTIVE: To describe school physical activity and nutrition environment in elementary schools in Poland, and to asses differences in school physical activity and nutrition environments, depending on school location and size. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Data was used from the World Health Organisation European Childhood Obesity Surveillance Initiative (COSI) conducted in 2016 in 135 Polish schools. Logistic regression was used to asses association between the location and individual school environment indicator. On the basis of answers to 20 questions about school physical activity and nutrition environment, a positive school environmental assessment index was compiled. RESULTS: Large, urban schools were characterised by a significantly greater availability of sweet snacks, whereas flavoured milk with added sugar was more often available in small and rural schools. The univariate logistics analysis parameters showed that an urban-rural location had a significant association for the availability of an indoor gym and existence of a canteen and a shop. Analysing the positive schools environmental assessment index, there were no statistically significant differences in mean values due to location, but statistically significant differences were found depending on the school size, with the highest level in large schools and the lowest in small schools. CONCLUSIONS: The factor which adversely differentiates the school environment in terms of healthy nutrition and physical activity is primarily the school size, and then the school location. Systemic and social solutions should aim at reducing the small school "exclusion syndrome", both in rural and in urban areas, also with regard to infrastructure and availability of conditions conducive to healthy nutrition and physical activity.

Childhood Obesity Surveillance Initiative (COSI) in Poland: Implementation of Two Rounds of the Study in the Context of International Methodological Assumptions.

Nowadays, childhood obesity is one of the key health problems in European countries. This article presents a study that is part of the World Health Organization (WHO) Childhood Obesity Surveillance Initiative (COSI) implemented in the WHO European Region since 2007. The main goal of the study is to monitor obesity in early school-aged children. The methodology of the study, the thematic scope of research tools, the organisational principles and the development of research carried out in Poland in the context of existing international assumptions are presented. In Poland, two rounds of the study were financed by the National Health Program, in cooperation with the WHO Office in Poland. The first study was carried out from November to December 2016 on a group of 3,408 children aged 8 years from 135 schools and 2,298 parents, in 9 voivodeships in Poland. The second round was carried out in the last quarter of 2018 in 12 voivodeships. A group of 2691 pupils aged 8 years from the 2nd grade of 140 primary schools in Poland and 2450 parents were examined. Data on body mass index distribution and lifestyle-related behaviours of children and their families were collected. Poland is the first country where blood pressure was measured in all participants of the COSI study. Considering the growing obesity epidemic, reliable monitoring of overweight and obesity in early childhood and the study of determinants of this phenomenon should be a priority for public health. The results obtained from this type of research are a reference point for the design and implementation of accurate prevention initiatives in this age group.

Importance of Self-Efficacy in Eating Behavior and Physical Activity Change of Overweight and Non-Overweight Adolescent Girls Participating in Healthy Me: A Lifestyle Intervention with Mobile Technology.

Very little is known about how multicomponent interventions directed to entire populations work in selected groups of adolescents. The aim was to evaluate the effectiveness of the Healthy Me one-year program on changes in healthy eating and physical activity among overweight and non-overweight female students. Randomization involved the allocation of full, partial or null intervention. The randomized field trial was implemented in 48 secondary schools (clusters) all over Poland among 1198 15-year-old girls. In this study, a sample of N = 1111 girls who participated in each evaluation study was analyzed. Using multimedia technologies, efforts were made to improve health behaviors and increase self-efficacy. The main outcome was a health behavior index (HBI), built on the basis of six nutritional indicators and one related to physical activity. HBI was analyzed before and immediately after intervention and at three months' follow-up, and the HBI change was modeled. Statistical analysis included nonparametric tests and generalized linear models with two-way interactions. Comparing the first and third surveys, in the overweight girls, the HBI index improved by 0.348 (SD = 3.17), while in the non-overweight girls it had worsened. After adjusting for other factors, a significant interaction between body weight status and level of self-efficacy as predictors of HBI changes was confirmed. The program turned out to be more beneficial for overweight girls.

Changes in physical activity of adolescent girls in the context of their perception of the Healthy Me programme.

BACKGROUND: An assumption was made that results of programme evaluation lead to better understanding for whom this intervention may work. The aim of the article is to compare the changes in physical activity of the intervention programme participants depending on subjective assessment of its impact. METHODS: The data were obtained from 14- to15-year-old Polish girls (N = 1120) from 48 random selected secondary schools participating in the 1-year Healthy Me programme in the 2017/2018. Schools were randomly assigned to one of two types of intervention or to a control (null) group. Satisfaction with the programme according to 21 criteria was measured retrospectively just after the intervention. Change in MVPA (moderate-to-vigorous physical activity) during the programme implementation was assessed in relation to satisfaction level, and adjusted for initial MVPA. RESULTS: In total, the MVPA did not change significantly comparing pre- and post-intervention surveys (3.94 ± 1.94 vs. 3.87 ± 1.93)-P = 0.093. However, the perceived notable improvement of functioning in 10 out of 21 areas was related to the unquestionable increase in MVPA (P ≤ 0.001). With respect to the four impact areas, an interaction was demonstrated between an intervention group and an improvement in the domain-specific functioning. The beneficial impact of the programme on these areas was associated with the improvement of physical activity only in case of full and null intervention. CONCLUSIONS: Indicators related to the implementation process and the results obtained during the Healthy Me programme evaluation could represent a change in motivational and environmental factors that indirectly affects adolescent girl's physical activity.

Behavioural factors as predictors of self-rated health among polish adolescent girls.

OBJECTIVE: Introduction: Self-rated health (SRH), an indicator which is extensively used in population studies, constitutes a measure of health closely linked to morbidity, mortality and overall health status and enjoys popularity in surveys monitoring adolescents. Most studies show that at puberty girls assess their health as worse than boys do, and the difference widens with age. Moreover, puberty is a crucial period for health, since it is the time when health risk behaviours are often initiated or become established. Aim: To analyse the associations between high scores on self-rated health among 15-year-old girls, participants of the Healthy Me programme, and their selected health behaviours. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Material and methods: The study covered a group of 1173 second-grade female students from 48 lower secondary schools located in rural and urban areas of 16 voivodeships all over Poland. The participants answered questions about chronic diseases or disability, self-rated health, diet, leisure activities, physical activity and health risk behaviours. In the statistical analysis, the association between self-rated health and individual indicators of health behaviour was examined using logistic regression. RESULTS: Results: Two thirds of the girls assessed their health as excellent or good. Only approximately 5% of the respondents made the "extreme negative" assessment. In the final multivariate analysis, five factors remained important predictors of high self-rated health scores: regular participation in physical education classes, vigorous physical activity, daily breakfast consumption, consumption of fruit at least once a day and sleep for at least 8 hours a day. CONCLUSION: Conclusions: Regular participation in physical education classes, vigorous physical activity, consumption of breakfast and fruit every day, as well as sleep for at least 8 hours a day are powerful predictors of high scores on self-rated health of 15-year-old adolescent girls. Public health activities aimed at adolescents should focus on the positive aspects of health and a lifestyle paying special attention on pro health behaviours.

Perceived barriers for physical activity in overweight and obese adolescents and their association with health motivation.

THE AIM: to identify the barriers to engaging in physical activity that are perceived by adolescents with overweight and obesity, and to establish whether a correlation exists among the barriers they perceive and the health-oriented motivation for undertaking physical activity. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study was conducted on a representative sample of 2,300 students aged 13-16 years. The data was collected through an anonymous survey. Young people were asked about their body weight and height, the barriers to physical activity and the health-related motives to engaging in it. The IOTF (International Obesity Task Force) standard by T. J. Cole was used to categorise overweight and obesity, while the PCA - Principal Component Analysis - to assess the motivation for physical activity. Logistic regression was used in the analyses of the correlations among the body weight, the level of health-oriented motivation and the occurrence of accumulated barriers to physical activity. RESULTS: Overweight and obesity was found in 12.4% of the respondents; more often in boys (17.8%) than in girls (7.8%). The most frequently perceived barriers to undertaking physical activity among overweight adolescents include deficiencies in energy, time and support. Three barriers (lack of energy, skills and willpower), as well as the perception of several barriers occurring simultaneously, were reported more frequently by overweight students in comparison with their peers with a normal weight. Among the health-oriented motivation for physical activity in the group of adolescents with overweight and obesity, the most important one was the need to improve health, while the least important the need to look good. The excess of body weight turn out to be an important predictor of the perception of cumulative barriers to physical activity only among adolescents with a weak motivation to undertake physical activity [OR 2.51; CI (1.43-4.42), <0.001]. CONCLUSIONS: Young people with overweight and obesity, but with a strong health-oriented motivation, perceive barriers to physical activity similarly to their peers with a normal weight. Thus, motivation is a key element shaping the physical activity of overweight and obese young people by changing their perception of the barriers. In overcoming the barriers to physical activity in obese adolescents, one should aim to comprehensively reduce body weight and to support health-oriented motivation.

Polish Adaptation And Validation Of The Physical Appearance Comparison Scale (Pacs) - An Analysis Among Young People In Late Adolescence In The Context Of Obesity.

INTRODUCTION: The PACS scale is a tool which is widely used in foreign studies to evaluate the tendency towards appearance comparisons in social situations. People inclined to make such comparisons reveal a higher level of dissatisfaction with their body and a higher inclination towards problem eating. PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: The main purpose of the study was to adapt the PACS scale. A factor structure assessment and reliability analysis of the Polish version was carried out. The correlation between PACS and pubertal development indicators, the body mass index and psycho-social factors and eating behaviours were evaluated as part of the validity analysis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The data were derived from the Internet-based study of problem eating behaviours conducted by the Institute of Mother and Child during the 2014/2015 school year. The analyses covered 1285 second grade upper secondary school students (47.2% boys). The mean age was 17.59 years (SD=0.39). An exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis of the PACS questionnaire was performed. Using the Kruskal-Wallis test or the Pearson's r correlation, the association between (PACSPL) and perceived pubertal timing, BMI, the body image (BIS), self-perception of body mass, self-esteem (RSES), self-esteem in social relations (SPPA-SSE), problem eating behaviours (TFEQ-13) were evaluated. The linear regression method was used to estimate the impact of PACS-PL on selected variables in the BMI groups in order to investigate of the moderation effect. RESULTS: The shortened 3-item Polish version of the scale (PACS-PL) was considered optimal. It is characterized by high reliability (Cronbach's α=0.868), and the main factor explains 79.1% of the variance of the scale results. The model also shows high values of fit indicators: χ2 = 1.144 (df=1, p=0.285), GFI=0.999, AGFI=0.996, CFI=1.000, NFI=0.999, TLI-1.000, RMSEA=0.011. Girls display a stronger tendency to compare their appearance with others. The PACS-PL scale demonstrates the expected correlations with developmental, psycho-social and behavioural factors, this correlation being stronger among girls. It was also shown that the PACS-PL index is a stronger predictor of dissatisfaction with the body and lower self-esteem in the group of obese adolescents. CONCLUSIONS: The Polish version of the scale, PACS-PL, is a reliable and valid tool for evaluating the tendency to compare one's appearance with others in late adolescence. The subject of social comparison ought to become an element of prevention activities associated with acceptance of one's body and selfesteem, especially among young people with excess body weight.

[Causes of death in children and adolescents aged 1-19 in poland in the light of international statistics since 2000].

BACKGROUND: Analyses of children and young people mortality continue to be an important component of health monitoring of this population. Such analyses provide the basis to assess the overall trends, the structure of the causes of death over longer periods, and the differences between Poland and other countries. PURPOSE: The purpose of the current study is to present the current status and the direction of changes since 2000 with regard to the level and underlying causes of mortality in children and adolescents aged 1-19 years in Poland on the background of statistics for leading European countries. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Interactive databases available online: the National Demographic Database provided by the Central Statistical Office and the International WHO-MDB Database were used. Poland, constantly belonging to Eur-B category, was compared with the combined group of 27 leading countries, classified as a very low total mortality group (Eur-A) according to WHO. Linear trends of overall and cause-specific mortality in 2000-2013 were estimated. The causes of death have been presented according to the main classes of the 10th revision of the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD-10). External and other causes were adopted as the two principal categories. RESULTS: In 2015, 1471 deaths of persons aged 1-19 were recorded in Poland (19.9 per 100 000, 25.4 and 14.2 for boys and girls, respectively). Changes in children and adolescents mortality by age have a non-linear nature (U-shaped), and the lowest level is recorded at the age of 5-9 years. According to 2014 data, 50.2% of deaths of children and adolescents aged 1-19 years occurred due to external causes, including non-intentional and intentional ones. This percentage increased from 18.4% in the 1-4 age group to 68.6% at the age of 15-19 years. Apart from external causes, the dominating causes of death are malignant neoplasms, congenital defects, or nervous system and respiratory system diseases. The ranking of those causes of death changes in successive age groups and over time. When age is considered, a higher proportion of congenital defects and respiratory system diseases was found in mortality younger children and a higher proportion of circulatory system diseases and undefined cases in mortality of adolescents. When trends were studied, a continuing elimination of infectious diseases was observed together with growing impact of rare diseases in all age groups. The excess mortality of Polish population at age 1-19 by comparison to Eur-A countries increased from 21% in 2000 to 56% in 2013, mainly due to unfavourable trends in adolescents. The rate of decline in the mortality of young children (1-4 years) was greater than in Eur-A countries, both in case of external and other causes. In the age group 5-14 years the higher rate of change was sustained only with regard to external causes. Among adolescents and young adults, the distance between Poland and Eur-A countries increased during the studied period. The shape of trend in the 15-24 age group was unfavourable for Poland, mainly with respect to external causes. This observation could be in part explained by increasing suicide trend in Poland since 2008, coexisting with rather constant level in Eur-A countries. CONCLUSIONS: The mortality rate among the population aged 1-19 years in Poland is systematically decreasing, but it still exceeds the average level recorded in leading European countries, particularly in relation to adolescents. When assessing the ability to reduce mortality in Poland to the level of Eur-A countries, attention must be paid to the causes considered as avoidable. Further studies ought to focus on the trends and international comparisons only foreshadowed in this study with regard to individual diagnoses, discussing possible preventive measures. Introduction of an ICD-11 classification will enable more accurate coding of causes of death, including a more precise analysis of the burden of rare diseases, which are an increasing challenge to public health in the population at the developmental age.

[Association of the meaning of life with satisfaction, the occurrence of subjective complaints and the family's economic status in the population of lower secondary school students].

INTRODUCTION: Feeling of meaning in life is extremely crucial factor of mental health. The lack of it can result in various disorders. Many authors, especially those connected with current of humanistic psychology underline the teenagers' life sense. THE AIM: The aim of the paper was to examine the level of satisfaction with life, the frequency of psychosomatic complaints by junior high school students as well as the estimation of economical status of family and the analysis of meaning in life with above mentioned factors. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The research was carried out in 2015 at 70 schools from all over the country, in group of 3695 lower secondary school students of I-III classes at the age of 13-17 (M=14,9; SD=0,87). The analysis connected with meaning in life using the shorten version of Purpose in Life Test (PIL) as well as analysis of life satisfaction using Cantril scale were taken up. What is more, the subjective physical complaints using single-factor shorten scale and economic status of family with the usage of material resources FAS scale (Family Affluence Scale) were examined. The statistical analysis included a one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), t-student test post-hoc test as well as multivariate logistic regression model. RESULTS: The average level of meaning in life among the examined students was 24,7 points (the summary scale 0-36 points), the boys achieved higher score than girls. The students satisfied with life (t=28,0; p<0,001), with rare physical complaints (F=124,8; p<0,001) and from affluent families (F=15,4; p<0,001) were significantly characterized by higher average level of meaning in life than students who were dissatisfied with their life, often or fairly suffer from health complaints and live in families of at most average level of affluence. CONCLUSION: The meaning in life is positively connected with satisfaction with life, lack of subjective complaints and family affluence. Because there is a lack of analysis linked with school teenagers' meaning in life in Polish literature, another research involved not only shorten but also full version of this tool should be conducted.

The Relationship between Multiple Substance Use, Perceived Academic Achievements, and Selected Socio-Demographic Factors in a Polish Adolescent Sample.

Predictors of high-risk patterns of substance use are often analysed in relation to demographic and school-related factors. The interaction between these factors and the additional impact of family wealth are still new areas of research. The aim of this study was to find determinants of the most common patterns of psychoactive substance use in mid-adolescence, compared to non-users. A sample of 1202 Polish students (46.1% boys, mean age of 15.6 years) was surveyed in 2013/2014. Four patterns of psychoactive substance use were defined using cluster analysis: non-users-71.9%, mainly tobacco and alcohol users-13.7%, high alcohol and cannabis users-7.2%, poly-users-7.2%. The final model contained the main effects of gender and age, and one three-way (perceived academic achievement × gender × family affluence) interaction. Girls with poor perception of school performance (as compared to girls with better achievements) were at significantly higher risk of being poly-users, in both less and more affluent families (adjusted odds ratio (OR) = 5.55 and OR = 3.60, respectively). The impact of family affluence was revealed only in interaction with other factors. Patterns of substance use in mid-adolescence are strongly related to perceived academic achievements, and these interact with selected socio-demographic factors.

Perceived barriers to physical activity among Polish adolescents.

OBJECTIVE: To identify barriers to physical activity (PA) for adolescents according to the gender and age and examine the association between these barriers and youths' physical activity. SUBJECTAND METHODS: 3346 students aged 10-16 years (1759 girls) took part in the cross-sectional, nationally representative study. For this paper the dataset was created from adolescents who reported perceived barriers to PA, N = 2300, (1259 girls), range 13-16 years. Barriers and physical activity (MVPA) were analysed for all participants, as well as by gender, age group and place of residence. Multiple regression analysis was used to examine the relationships between perceived barriers and physical inactivity for all and than separately for boys and girls. RESULTS: Lack of energy, lack of time and lack of support were three of the five barriers reported by more than 40% of adolescents, statistically more likely by girls than boys and older youth than younger. For boys - lack of time (OR = 2.56; CI = 1.66-3.96), lack of skills (OR = 2.35; CI = 1.94-3.95), lack of willpower (OR = 1.71, CI = 1.05-2.80) and lack of support (OR = 1.64, CI = 1.11-2.41) were the predictors contributing to low level of PA. For girls lack of skills (OR = 3.16, CI = 1.62-6.18), lack of energy (OR = 1.84, CI = 1.14-2.96), lack of support (OR = 1.64, CI = 1.07-2.54) and lack of time (OR = 1.61,CI = 1.00-2.60) were positively and statistically significant associated with physical inactivity. CONCLUSIONS: 1. Perceived barriers to physical activity among adolescents have strong negative impact on recommended PA level. For girls lack of skills is the strongest predictor of low PA, for boys - lack of time. 2. Identification more precisely barriers to physical activity among adolescents will enable to developed more effective interventions in high-risk populations.

How well do Polish teenagers meet health behaviour guidelines?

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the prevalence of meeting health behaviour guidelines regarding eating breakfast, fruit and vegetable consumption and physical activity and to identify adolescents who accumulate the unhealthy behaviours. SUBJECT AND METHODS: Cross-sectional study was conducted in 2008 in adolescents aged 13-year-old (N = 574). They self-reported their physical activity (MVPA--Moderate-to-Vigorous Physical Activity), regularity of breakfast eating and fruit and vegetable consumption. The adherence to physical activity and nutritional guidelines were described. Relationships between dependant variables and sex and place of residence were examined. Cluster analysis was used to identify subgroups of youths whose accumulate the unhealthy behaviours. RESULTS: The proportion of adolescents who met each health recommendation varied: 69% ate breakfast on 5 school days, 46.9% consumed at least once a day fruit and vegetable and 27.5% performed recommended daily physical activity. Boys were significantly more active (p < 0.001) and ate breakfast more frequently than girls (p < 0.04). A gender difference in fruit and vegetable intake was not statistically significant. Only 11.5% of adolescents fulfilled all three recommendations, more often boys than girls (p = 0.020). Almost 54% of adolescents had multiple unfavorable health behaviours, and 14,1% all three of them - significantly more often girls than boys (p = 0.011). For adolescents with two risk behaviours, the most prevalent cluster was formed by not meeting the physical activity and fruit and vegetable recommendations. CONCLUSIONS: The unhealthy behaviours tend to accumulate among teenagers - more often in girls than in boys, becoming the risk factors for different chronic diseases. Widespread dissemination of healthy lifestyle guidelines among adolescents, their parents and teachers, and undertake interventions aimed to reduce unhealthy behaviours could bring health benefits in the future.

[Sedentary behaviour 13-years-olds and its association with selected health behaviours, parenting practices and body mass]. / Siedzacy tryb zycia polskich 13-latkówi jego powiazania z wybranymi zachowaniamizdrowotnymi, praktykami rodzicielskimioraz masa ciala.

OBJECTIVE: 1. To estimate the time spent in sedentary behaviour (watching TV, using the computer, doing homework). 2. To assess the link between the total time spent on watching TV, using the computer, doing homework and dietary habits, physical activity, parental practices and body mass. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Cross-sectional study was conducted in Poland in 2008 among 13-year olds (n=600). They self-reported their time of TV viewing, computer use and homework. Their dietary behaviours, physical activity (MVPA) and parenting practices were also self-reported. Height and weight were measured by school nurses. Descriptive statistics and correlation were used in this analysis. RESULTS: The mean time spent watching television in school days was 2.3 hours for girls and 2.2 for boys. Boys spent significantly more time using the computer than girls - respectively 1.8 and 1.5 hours, while girls took longer doing homework - respectively 1.7 and 1.3 hours. Mean screen time was about 4 hours in school days and about 6 hours during weekend, statistically longer for boys in weekdays. Screen time was positively associated with intake of sweets, chips, soft drinks, "fast food" and meals consumption during TV, and negatively with regularity of meals and parental supervision. There was no correlation between screen time with physical activity and body mass. CONCLUSION: Sedentary behaviours and physical activity are not competing behaviours in Polish teenagers, but their relationship with unhealthy dietary patterns may lead to development of obesity. Good parental practices, both mother's and father's supervision seems to be crucial for screen time limitation in their children. Parents should become aware that relevant lifestyle monitoring of their children is a crucial element of health education in prevention of civilization diseases. This is a task for both healthcare workers and educational staff.

[Optimism of 13-year olds in Poland in the context of self-assessment of health and selected family characteristics]. / Optymizm zyciowy 13-latków w Polsce w kontekscie samoocheny zdrowia oraz wybranych cech rodziny.

AIM: To examine the level of optimism in 13-year-olds and the relationship between optimism and self-reported health and family psychosocial and economic factors. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Adolescents at the age of 13 years (n=605) and their parents, identified in the third stage of a prospective cohort study in 2008, was analysed. To examine the level of optimism the short Polish version of the Wagnilda and Young scale (Resilience Scale) were used. The level of optimism and the relationship between family socio-economic factors and family functioning in the family (parenting practices, satisfaction with family contacts) were examined. For the evaluation of probability of a high level of optimism among 13-year-old girls and boys the multivariate model of logistic was used. RESULTS: Girls had a significantly higher level of optimism. Girls and boys with positive attitude to life rated their health significantly better than their peers with negative attitude. Univariate analyses showed that with the level of optimism father's education level among girls and the professional status of the parents among boys, was significantly associated. Family affluence reported by children, positive parenting and satisfaction with family contacts, were significantly associated with the attitude to life, both in girls and boys. The level of optimism among boys was also related with the level of discipline by the mother and the level of control exercised by both parents. Finally, for girls multiple regression analyses showed that father's positive parenting was a predictor of high level of optimism [OR=0,45; CI(OR):0,23-0,85; p=0,014]. In boys, mother's positive parenting [OR=0,39; CI(OR):0,19-0,82; p=0,013] and appropriate father's control were found to be significant predictors of optimism [OR=0,33; CI(OR): 0,13-0,84; p=0,020]. CONCLUSIONS: Very high self-reported health by the majority of young people with positive attitude to life shows that optimism is a strong predictor of subjective health. Positive parenting practices and good level of parental control, have a significant impact on optimism in teenagers.

[The frequency of risk factors for atherosclerosis in youth aged 16 and 18 years--students of upper-secondary schools in Poland]. / Czestosc wystepowania czynników ryzyka miazdzycy u mlodziezy w wieku 16 i 18 lat--uczniów szkól ponadgimnazjalnych w Polsce.

OBJECTIVES: 1. To examine the prevalence of selected risk factors for atherosclerosis: overweight, tobacco smoking, low physical activity, psychological distress and type A personality (characterized by tenseness, impatience, competitiveness, and aggressiveness) in adolescents and to assess the frequency the coexistence of risk factors (≥3) in relation to gender, age and school type. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out in a representative sample of youth aged 16 and 18 years (N=2983) in 8 voivodeships in Poland. The frequency of five atherosclerosis risk factors and their coexistence (≥3) was examined using self-reported questionnaires, in relation to gender, age and school type. Logistic regression analyses were used to assess the influence of the variables (gender, age and school type) on odds ratios of risk factor coexistence. RESULTS: Low physical activity was the most common risk factor, statistically more frequent in students from Basic Vocational Schools than in other school types (p<0.05). In Basic Vocational Schools there was also the highest percentage of cigarette smokers (p<0.001). Psychological distress and type A behaviour were observed most frequently in students from General Upper Secondary Schools. The highest risk factor accumulation (≥3) was observed among students from Basic Vocational Schools (40%), significantly more frequent in girls than boys (47.5% and 37.5% respectively). Multivariable analyses show that students from Basic Vocational Schools had twice the odds (OR=2.25, p<0.001) to have the coexistence of risk factors for atherosclerosis as compared with students from General Upper Secondary Schools, girls had almost twice as many occurrences (OR=1.83, p<0.001) as boys and 18-year-olds 1.5 more than 16-year-olds (OR=1.46, p<0.001). CONCLUSION: 1. A significant difference in the prevalence of risk factors for atherosclerosis in youth from different school types requires precise definition of priority health promotion activities depending on school type. 2. Students from Basic Vocational Schools should be the target group for intervention aimed at reducing atherosclerosis risk factors.

[Changes in structure and socioeconomic position of the family as determinants of overweight in adolescents]. / Zmiany w strukturze i sytuacji ekonomicznej rodziny jako czynniki warunkujace nadmierna mase ciaca nastolatków.

INTRODUCTION: Previous studies on relationships between the current family structure, socioeconomic status and family members' body mass don't give unequivocal results. A life course perspective evaluates the contribution of early life factors jointly with later life factors to identify risk and protective processes. OBJECTIVES: The relationship between economic status, family structure in first and thirteenth year of life, their changes in this period and overweight among 13-year olds in Poland. PARTICIPANTS AND METHODS: A study sample was the prospective cohort of 11 937 children enrolled in the observation in neonatal period, examined in the third year of life (questionnaire survey of 1250 mothers) and at the age of thirteen (561 children and their parents fulfilled questionnaires, children's height and weight were measured). Overweight criteria was BMI >85 percentile using WHO 2007 growth reference. RESULTS: Higher prevalence of overweight was found in adolescents living in single-parent families than in 2-parent families (30.2% vs. 19.5%; p=0.049). The highest prevalence of adolescents' overweight was observed in families, whose structure changed during 13 years (in ""broken"" families - 32.7%, in reconstructed - 36.4%, p=0.033); the risk of overweight in these children increased twice compared to intact families. Adolescents from families whose reported economic status worsened during 13 years, were twice more likely to be overweight than their peers from middle and high economic status families (p=0.057). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of overweight among adolescents in 2-parent families is significantly lower than in other family types. Unfavorable changes in family economic status and structure are the strongest redictors of overweight in 13-year-olds.

[WHO child growth standards for children 0-5 years. Percentile charts of length/height, weight, body mass index and head circumference]. / Standardy who rozwoju fizycznego dzieci w wieku 0-5 lat. Siatki centylowe dlugosci/wysokosci masy ciala wskaznika masy BMI I obwodu glowy.

The aim of this paper was to present the growth standards for children aged 0-5 years - which is a new tool for the assessment of health, growth and nutritional status recommended by WHO for use all over the world. These standards were elaborated in 2006 on the basis of the results of the WHO Multicentre Growth Reference Study (a longitudinal and cross-sectional survey) carried out between 1997-2003 in Brazil, Ghana, India, Norway, Oman and the USA. An innovative approach to developing growth reference was applied. Healthy children living under conditions allowing them to achieve their full genetic potential were the sample of children under study. The results showed that the growth pattern of children in their early childhood in different countries, ethnic groups and of different socioeconomic status was the same when their health and care needs were met. The new standards indicate how children should grow in all countries, rather than merely describing how they grew at a particular place and time. The WHO Child Growth Standards for Children 0-5 years were adapted and used in over 100 countries. Activities designed to adapt WHO standards in Poland were undertaken in 2009. The comparison between the growth reference for Warsaw children and WHO standards showed no differences, or very small ones. Following discussion with the participation of many experts, in 2011 recommendations concerning the implementation of these standards were signed by the Committee of Human Development and the Committee of Anthropology of the Polish Academy of Science, the Main Board of the Polish Anthropological Society, the Institute of Mother and Child, and the Institute of Food and Nutrition. The percentile charts were adapted to the set of percentiles hitherto used in Poland.