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Introduction: The increasing prevalence of overweight, defined as excessive body weight, among different population groups is one of the most serious public health problems that Poland has to face. The aim of this paper was to review the recent data regarding the nutritional status of subpopulations of children, adolescents and adults in Poland. Material and methods: The search was conducted using PubMed, Google Scholar, and Web of Sciences databases, as well as official websites of the Polish Ministry of Health, the National Institute of Public Health NIH - National Research Institute and the World Health Organization. Scientific publications in English and Polish, published between January 2020 and September 2023, were used as sources of information. Results: The prevalence of overweight among children, adolescents and adults in Poland is relatively high. However, it should be noted that most studies were observational, the methods used for data collection varied (self-reported vs. measured), and BMI was a tool to measure body weight status. The prevalence of overweight among the paediatric population varies from 11% to 45%. Among adults, the prevalence of overweight exceeds 62% for men and 43% for women. The prevalence of higher-than-normal body mass increases with age. The COVID-19 pandemic increased the risk of abnormal body weight among both paediatric and adult populations. Conclusions: Early prevention is essential in dealing with excessive body weight and the adverse health outcomes that may result therefrom. To address the weight gain problem across different populations, comprehensive and family-based obesity prevention programmes should be implemented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The restrictions introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic were supposed to prevent the spread of infections, but they may have contributed to increased negative emotions. The aim of the study was to assess the prevalence of negative emotions and sleeping difficulties and their determinants in the adult Polish population. Material and methods: A survey was conducted among 323 adult Poles using an Internet surveying technique, CAWI (computer-assisted web interview). Some of the questions came from standardized forms applied in surveys conducted by the Public Opinion Research Centre (CBOS). The relationship between socio-demographic characteristics and perceived emotions was investigated. The chi-square test was used to assess the relationships between nominal variables (p<0.05). One-dimensional logistic regression was used to determine the effect of demographic variables on perception of negative emotions. Unadjusted models (crude odds ratios) with one dependent variable were used: gender, age, place of residence, marital status, occupational activity, having children, and economic situation due to the pandemic. Results: Most frequently the respondents experienced lowered mood (51.5%), anger, irritation (41.2%), boredom (41.8%), and feelings of loneliness (39.3%). Almost one in four respondents experienced sleeping disorders. This was lower in the group of people who did not experience financial problems due to the pandemic (OR = 0.5; 95% CI: 0.2-0.8). A protective effect of having children on feelings of loneliness (OR = 0.5; 95% CI: 0.3-0.9) and boredom (OR = 0.5; 95% CI: 0.3-0.8) was observed. Being professionally active reduced the risk of feeling angry (OR = 0.4; 95% CI: 0.2-0.7). An increased risk of feeling lonely was associated with female gender (OR = 2.8; 95% CI: 1.5-5.2). Conclusions: Most of the respondents experienced negative emotions during the pandemic. Having children and being professionally active had a protective effect against the occurrence of loneliness, boredom or anger. The lack of impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the economic situation was a protective factor against the occurrence of sleep difficulties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Excessive drinking habits increase health-related, social and financial costs. This study aims to assess the alcohol-related behaviour and frequency of alcohol consumption in the inhabitants of the Kępno district in Poland. Material and methods: Study subjects included 299 inhabitants of the Kępno district in Poland consisting of 177 women (59.2%) and 122 men (40.2%) with the age range of 18-73 years and 19-69 years, respectively. The study was carried out anonymously in 2019 using a questionnaire employed in the direct interview method. Results: A total of 78.6% of participants were found to be currently drinking alcohol, 10.7% were not drinking alcohol at present and 12.7% had never drunk alcohol. The majority of respondents initiated drinking alcohol between 13 and 18 years of age. People from rural areas started drinking alcohol significantly earlier; more than half first consumed alcohol before the age of 15. About half of the subjects drank no more than 4 units of alcohol during a typical day of alcohol consumption. A total of 41.3% of people aged 43-70 years consumed 7-9 units of alcohol during a typical day compared to only 23.9% of the youngest respondents. A total of 60% of participants consumed alcohol several times a year regardless of sex, age and place of residence. Rates of alcohol being consumed a few times per month were slightly higher in men than women (18.3% vs. 15.4%, respectively). Conclusions: Healthy lifestyle should be promoted, highlighting the harm caused by alcohol drinking at primary and secondary schools because of the concern over the early age of alcohol initiation in the Kępno district, in particular with attempts to target adolescents living in rural areas. Taking into account the trends in the study group, special attention should be paid to women and the population of the oldest people. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Nutritional programming theory states that a deficiency or excess of nutrients can permanently alter a child's metabolism. The detrimental effects of such deviation can cause health problems even during adulthood. Although this concept has existed for over a dozen years, it is not always used in practice. This research investigated the awareness of Polish mothers in terms of nutritional programming and its correlation with children's nutrition. Material and methods: The study was conducted using a questionnaire that verified the mothers' nutritional programming knowledge, nutrition during pregnancy, and their children's nutritional intake. The questionnaire was available online on various parents' Facebook groups, forums, and websites concerning children's nutrition. There were 363 women, 20-43 years old, with children under the age of 3, participating in this study. The survey was conducted in Poland from 2019 to 2021. Results: Fourty four percent of mothers did not recognize the term 'nutritional programming'. The level of mothers' education was of primary importance, as those with a lower education overestimated their knowledge of nutritional programming. The majority of mothers were not knowledgeable about dietary recommendations for children. There was a correlation between mothers' knowledge, breastfeeding, and docosahexaenoic acid intake in children. Mothers with proper nutritional knowledge breastfed longer (p = 0.041) and more often (r = 0.128, p = 0.017, 95% CI: 0.023-0.230). The higher the mother's education level, the higher was the intake of DHA in children (r = 0.294, p = 0.006, 95% CI: 0.477-0.086). Conclusions: The obtained results demonstrate that the level of awareness among mothers in this study was insufficient. This resulted in inadequate nutritional dietary intake among children. Mothers, especially those with lower education, must be adequately instructed on children's nutrition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Between 1990 and 2002 Poland experienced one of the steepest gains in health in Europe. However, in 2002, unexpectedly, the health improvement in Poland halted. An increase in alcohol-related diseases after 2002 was most likely caused by an increase in alcohol consumption that followed a 30% reduction in excise tax on spirits and other weakening of alcohol control policies. This study examines the development of the health situation in Poland between 2002 and 2019, and describes potential causes of the health crisis, based on life expectancy statistics and epidemiological indicators of alcohol-related health burden. Material and methods: We examined life expectancy and 100% alcohol-attributable death cases (AAC). Standardised death rates were calculated using population statistics from the World Bank and the Segi standard. Changes in trends were analysed using Joinpoint Regression. The present analysis comprises the Polish adult population aged 20+. Results: The increase in life expectancy starting in 1991 in Poland first slowed down after 2002 and then stopped in 2014 in men and in 2016 in women. During the years 2002-2019, there was a manyfold linear growth of alcohol-attributable mortality in both sexes and all adult age groups. AAC standardised mortality rates increased from 7.5 (13.9 in men, 1.7 in women) in 2002 to 17.8 (29.3 in men, 7.1 in women) per 100,000 in 2019. The National Statistical Office recorded an increase of AAC deaths from 3685 (3256 in men and 429 in women) in 2002 to 10,396 (8251 in men, and 2145 in women) in 2019. During the years 2002-2019, the cumulative number of AAC deaths was 130,000 in men and women combined. Conclusions: The halt in the improvement of health in Poland, probably caused by the increase in alcohol consumption, constitutes a serious public health challenge. Strong alcohol control action is urgently needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]