Every second adult inhabitant of Poland (aged 18-64) is overweight - results of representative cross-sectional studies conducted in 2017-2020.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Being overweight or obese increases the risk of numerous serious diseases and health conditions. It is also a reason for an increased risk of disability. The aim of the study was to assess the prevalence of general and abdominal obesity and overweight in Polish adults. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 2,000 individuals randomly selected from the Polish population were evaluated. The group included 999 men aged 19-64. Analyses were based on the standardized measurements of weight, height and waist circumference. RESULTS: Excess body weight was noted in 51% of respondents (55% of men, 47% of women). There was a significant increase in BMI with age (19-30 years: 24.15 ± 3.93, 31-50 years: 25.75 ± 4.15 and 51-64 years: 27.23 ± 4.69 kg/m2). Men were over 43% more likely to develop excess body weight than women (OR = 1.438). The odds increased with age (OR = 1.046). Abdominal overweight was found in 21.2%, and abdominal obesity in 27.2% of respondents. The prevalence of abdominal obesity was higher in women (39.6%) than in men (14.1%). The prevalence of abdominal obesity and overweight increased with age (19-30 years: 32.1%, 31-50 years: 47.9% and 51-64 years: 66.2%). CONCLUSIONS: Excess body weight occurs much more commonly in men than in women, with women suffering from obesity more often. The visceral distribution of the adipose tissue dominates in the Polish population, which is a serious risk factor for metabolic diseases. The chances of developing abdominal obesity in the studied population increase with age. Determining the risk of diet-related diseases requires further analyses comprising physical activity and nutrition against socio-demographic data.

Diet and selected elements of lifestyle in the Polish population before and during the COVID-19 pandemic - a population study.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: The COVID-19 pandemic led to the introduction of sanitary restrictions in many countries which necessitated numerous lifestyle changes, especially in the diet. The study aimed to compare the diet and selected lifestyle elements in the Polish population during the COVID-19 pandemic. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study group consisted of 964 individuals: 482 before the COVID-19 pandemic (composed using the Propensity Score Matching method) and 482 during the pandemic. The National Health Programme 2017-2020 results were used. RESULTS: During the pandemic increased, e.g. the intake of: total lipids (78.4 g vs. 83 g; p<0.035), saturated fatty acids (SFA) (30.4 g vs. 32.3 g; p=0.01), sucrose (56.5 g vs. 64.6 g; p=0.0001), calcium (602.5 mg vs. 666.6 mg; p=0.004), and folate (261.6 mcg vs. 284.7 mcg; p=0.003). When nutrient densities of pre-Covid-19 and COVID-19 diets were compared, some differences were noted; per 1,000 kcal the amounts decreased of plant protein (13.7 g vs. 13.1 g; p=0.001), carbohydrates (130.8 g vs. 128.0 g; p=0.021), fibre (9.1 g vs. 8.4 g; p=0.000), sodium (1,968.6 mg vs. 1,824.2 mg; p=0.000); while the amounts increased of total lipids (35.9 g vs. 37.0 g; p=0.001), SFA (14.1 g vs. 14.7 g; p=0.003), and sucrose (26.4 g vs. 28.4 g; p=0.001). The COVID-19 pandemic had no effect on alcohol consumption, the number of smokers increased (from 131 to 169), sleep duration during weekdays, and the number of persons with low physical activity (182 vs. 245; p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Numerous unfavourable changes occurred in the diet and lifestyle during the COVID-19 pandemic, which may contribute to the exacerbation of health problems in the future. Nutrient density in the diet combined with well-designed consumer education may underlie the development of diet recommendations.

What Differentiates Rural and Urban Patients with Type 1 Diabetes-A Pilot Study.

The effective management of diabetes is a complex issue and may be determined according to numerous patient-dependent and patient-independent factors. This study aimed to analyze the relationship between the place of residence and selected sociodemographic, psychological and diabetes-related parameters in people with type 1 diabetes (T1D). This study was conducted on 419 adults with T1D using nonprobability sampling. The following questionnaires were used: the Diabetes Dietary Guidelines Adherence Index, the Acceptance of Illness Scale, the Sense of Responsibility for Health Scale, the Diabetes Eating Problem Survey-Revised scale, the Eating Attitudes Test and questions on sociodemographic and diabetes-related parameters. People living in rural areas were characterized by a significantly lower age and level of education, a higher incidence of being overweight, a higher glycated hemoglobin concentration, a lower number of glucose measurements during the day and a higher level of acceptance of the disease compared to urban residents. The degree of adherence to dietary recommendations and the sense of responsibility for one's own health were significantly higher among urban residents. It is necessary to assess barriers to a proper diet and to increase the effectiveness in managing the disease in rural communities. Targeted actions promoting the health of type 1 diabetics need to be developed with particular emphasis on patients from rural areas.