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A growing number of women of reproductive age experience menstrual disorders. The menstrual cycle is considerably influenced by dietary habits, physical activity, and the use of stimulants. The main aim of this study was to assess women's knowledge about the menstrual cycle and the influence of diet and lifestyle factors on menstrual symptoms, and to identify dietary models that may alleviate or exacerbate menstrual distress. A total of 505 young women participated in the study. Nearly 90% of the respondents reported at least one menstrual disorder, mostly dysmenorrhea (70.7%), whereas secondary amenorrhea was least frequently reported (13.8%) (p = 0.002). In the study population, dysmenorrhea/menstrual distress was linked with higher consumption frequency of certain food groups. Women with severe dysmenorrhea consumed refined cereal products, processed meat, sugar, and water significantly more frequently than women with moderate menstrual pain. In turn, sweetened dairy products, animal fats, and fruit were consumed more frequently by women with low intensity of menstrual pain (mild pain). Significant differences in knowledge about the menstrual cycle and physiological changes in the body were observed between the compared dietary models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Habitual physical activity adapted to a child's individual needs, ability, health, gender and age has positive implications for cognitive and physical growth and maturation. Childhood physical activity is a predictor of better health and general well-being in adulthood. Material/Methods A questionnaire study was conducted on a population of 371 randomly selected primary school students in Lublin county. Correlations were determined between the student's levels of physical activity and leisure time activities vs. age, gender, BMI score and the parents' levels of physical activity. Results The students' attitudes towards PE differentiated subjects as to gender and the BMI score, whereas the frequency of exercise was correlated only with gender. Girls accounted for 72% of the students who did not enjoy PE classes. The duration of exercise was significantly correlated with age. Research results indicate that parents who are physically active instill healthy habits in their children. Conclusions Physical activity plays a very important role in instilling healthy lifestyle habits. Parents or caretakers are the best role models for children. In an era when children and adolescents are increasingly likely to spend most of their free time playing computer games or watching television, parents should encourage their children to participate in extracurricular physical activities that promote healthy growth and development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The main objective of this study was to determine the amount and type of fat consumed by early school-age children per day. Dietary fat intake as a percentage of the total calorie intake was also estimated. Methods: The study was conducted in Lublin, the largest city in south-east Poland, between January 2014 and April 2014, on 702 randomly selected children, i.e. 3% of the total population of early school-age children in the research area. The parents were asked to provide information about the type and amount of food consumed by their children daily. A standard food frequency questionnaire was used. Results: Dietary levels of saturated fat were elevated in the analyzed populations and were the source of 13.33% of daily calorie intake. In the studied population, the ratio of saturated to monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids was determined at 3.25: 2.95: 1. Dietary intake of α-linolenic acid (ALA) reached 1.057 ± 0.55 g (0.63% of daily calorie intake) on average, and dietary intake of linoleic acid (LA) was determined at 3.86 ± 2.51 g (2.31% of daily calorie intake). Conclusions: The average total calorie intake of children aged 6-11 years was 1445.66 calories per day. Average fat intake was 29.64 % of the total calorie intake. The highest intake of SFAs was found in the youngest age group of 6- to 8-year-olds. The type of food consumed by children affected the amount and type of dietary fat in all age groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adequate nutrition in the first year of life is the key prerequisite for a child's healthy growth and development. The success of complementary feeding is influenced by various factors, including the family's socioeconomic status, maternal age, place of residence and educational level, older children and duration of breastfeeding. Modified infant feeding guidelines were introduced in Poland in 2016. The aim of this study was to identify the factors that exert the greatest influence on infant feeding practices in the Polish population. A thorough understanding of maternal factors that are responsible for undesirable feeding practices is required to improve the mothers' knowledge and to promote healthy feeding practices. This study was carried out in March–June 2018 and between November 2018 and March 2019 in the Region of Lublin in southeastern Poland. The mothers of children aged 9–14 months, who had introduced complementary foods, were invited to the study. A total of 441 mothers agreed to participate, and 289 of them fully and correctly completed the questionnaires. Logistic regression models were developed to assess the association between maternal factors, such as age, educational level and the nutrition knowledge score, and introduction of solid foods. The infant's sex and birth weight and the mother's place of residence had no significant influence on the duration of breastfeeding. The mother's age and educational level, the number of children in the family and maternal nutrition knowledge scores contributed to significant differences in breastfeeding duration. Older mothers (30–34 years vs. 25–29 years, p = 0.001), better educated mothers (university vs. secondary school education p = 0.002) and mothers with one or two children exclusively breastfed their children for longer (17 weeks vs. 11 weeks, p = 0.002) than younger mothers with secondary school education and more than three children. Exclusive formula feeding was significantly correlated with untimely introduction of solid foods compared to exclusive breastfeeding (13 weeks vs. 19.7 weeks, p = 0.001). Mothers with nutrition knowledge scores in the upper tertile were more likely to adapt food consistency to the skills manifested by the child (88%) (OR = 1.88; Cl: 1.53–2.26, p < 0.05) and were less likely to delay the introduction of new foods that required chewing and biting (84%) (OR = 0.22; Cl: 0.09–0.34, p < 0.05) than mothers with nutrition knowledge scores in the bottom tertile. Maternal age, educational level and nutrition knowledge significantly increased the age at which infants were introduced to solid foods and the correct identification of the signs indicative of the child's readiness to explore new tastes and foods with a new consistency. The above factors contributed to delayed, but not untimely, introduction of complementary foods (6 months of age or later), including gluten. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]