Prevalence of Dietary Behavior and Determinants of Quality of Diet among Beneficiaries of Government Welfare Assistance in Poland

A post-pandemic trend in the consumption of dietary supplements among residents of Lithuania

OBJECTIVES

The consumption of dietary supplements might prevent the deficiency of necessary nutrients. On the other hand, in cases of overconsumption, adverse effects might occur. In Lithuania, the COVID-19 pandemic provoked an increase in the consumption of dietary supplements. The aim of this study was to reveal the post-pandemic trend of the consumption of dietary supplements among the working-age residents of Lithuania with respect to social and demographic factors and food selection criteria.

METHODS

A cross-sectional observational study was performed. In total, using the same methods, 3,200 residents were surveyed: 1,600 in 2021 and 1,600 in 2022. Both samples were representative for Lithuania and included residents of Lithuania aged from 18 to 64 years. According to socio-demographic factors (sex, age, level of education, type of place of residence, marital status, number of family members, presence of children under 18 years old in the household, employment status, level of income), COVID-19 experience (presence of COVID-19 cases among friends or relatives, severeness of COVID-19) and food selection criteria (health strengthening, other) the prevalence of the consumption of dietary supplements was compared between the samples.

RESULTS

The consumption of dietary supplements accounted for 78.1% and 71.6% of the respondents in 2021 and 2022, respectively (p < 0.001). After the COVID-19 pandemic, the prevalence of the consumption of dietary supplements decreased in the majority of social and demographic groups analysed in this article (p < 0.05). The consumption of dietary supplements remained unchanged among those who selected foods for health strengthening (p = 0.098).

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence of the consumption of dietary supplements decreased after the COVID-19 pandemic in most social and demographic groups except those who selected foods for health strengthening.

Dietary Behavior and Determinants of Diet Quality among Primary Health Care Patients in Poland

BACKGROUND

The aim of the present research was to determine the factors influencing the prevalence of eating behaviors, diet quality, and unhealthy eating among primary healthcare patients in Poland.

METHODS

The cross-sectional study included 896 adult primary care patients in Łódź. The study was conducted from January 2020 to December 2021 among thirty-four primary healthcare facilities. A survey recorded the sociodemographic data of the respondents as well as data regarding their health condition and diet.

RESULTS

The majority of the respondents (57.6%) had average dietary habits, while 40% had unhealthy eating habits. The univariable logistic regression found that primary care patients with medium/secondary education had a 1.5 times greater risk of unhealthy eating habits, and those with post-secondary vocational education had a 1.75 times greater risk of unhealthy eating habits than those with higher education (OR = 1.46; 95% CI: 1.08-1.97, p ≤ 0.01, and OR = 1.75; 95% CI: 1.04-2.94, p ≤ 0.05). The multivariable logistic regression confirmed that the level of education had a significant impact on dietary habits: for medium/secondary education, OR = 1.40; 95% CI: 1.03-1.91 (p ≤ 0.01); for post-secondary vocational education, OR = 1.69; 95% CI: 1.0-2.85 (p ≤ 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The education level was significantly correlated with the prevalence of unhealthy eating behaviors in the studied population. This factor should be considered in the promotion of healthy eating behaviors and nutritional counseling interventions conducted by family physicians in primary health care.

The Relationship between Diet and the Occurrence of Depressive Symptoms in a Community Example with High Rates of Social Deprivation: A Cross-Sectional Study

Research suggests that various biological and psychosocial mechanisms are involved in the heterogeneous and complex relationship between dietary patterns and depressive symptoms. The occurrence of depressive symptoms is thought to be related to socioeconomic status (SES), with those with lower SES being more likely to experience persistent depression. The aim of the undertaken study was to investigate whether socioeconomic and health variables are associated with dietary assessment in a population with high rates of social deprivation and whether a relationship exists between dietary assessment and depressive symptoms (DS). The respondents' nutrition was evaluated through a qualitative method, using the Perinumeric Periodic Table questionnaire by Starzyńska. At the same time, the prevalence of DS was assessed employing the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). In the DS screening (PHQ-9 ≥ 10), in the entire study population, the risk of DS was 16.1% (n = 605). In our entire study population, up to 61.2% (n = 2297) of the respondents exhibited poor dietary patterns. In the multivariate model, women with almost adequate or poor dietary assessment were 1.62 and 2.18 times more likely to score at least 10 on the PHQ-9 questionnaire, as compared to women whose dietary assessment was good or adequate. In conclusion, it was determined that sociodemographic variables affect nutritional habits. Women who lived in rural areas limited to a vocational education had significantly poorer diets. Moreover, men, younger men, smokers, and those without chronic diseases were characterized by a poorer dietary assessment. Additionally, women who had a better dietary assessment were significantly more likely to have lower scores on the questionnaire assessing the occurrence of DS (PHQ-9 10).

COVID-19 Pandemic and Consumption of Dietary Supplements among Adult Residents of Lithuania

In the light of the changing pattern of the consumption of dietary supplements among adults in other countries during the COVID-19 pandemic, we aim to assess the prevalence of the consumption of dietary supplements with respect to the purpose of consumption and sociodemographic factors among adults in Lithuania. This study included two samples of adults from Lithuania: 870 in 2019 and 1600 in 2021. Anonymous original questionnaires were used to collect the data about the consumption of dietary supplements before and during the pandemic. The consumption of dietary supplements was prevalent among 67.2% and 78.1% of the samples, respectively. Although the majority (73.7%) of the respondents indicated that the pandemic had no effect on their use of dietary supplements, every fourth respondent’s (24.6%) consumption increased. In 2021, the consumption was more prevalent among females, respondents with university education, urban citizens, employed respondents, respondents without children, with higher income, and those who knew a person with COVID-19 (p < 0.05). During the pandemic, the strengthening of the immune system and the body were the leading reasons for consumption (49.0% and 43.5%, respectively). The consumption of dietary supplements appropriate for these purposes increased among 63.3% and 66.9% of respondents, respectively. To conclude, the consumption of dietary supplements among adults in Lithuania increased during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Consulting Obese and Overweight Patients for Nutrition and Physical Activity in Primary Healthcare in Poland

The aim of this study was to evaluate the dietary and physical activity counseling provided to adults by family doctors. Predictors of counseling in primary healthcare were identified. A cross-sectional study was conducted from January 2020 to December 2021 among 896 adult primary care patients in the city of Łódź [Lodz], Poland. Almost 36% of the respondents were advised to change their eating habits, and 39.6% were advised to increase their physical activity. In a multivariate logistic regression analysis, people in poor health with chronic diseases related to overweight and obesity and with two, three or more chronic diseases, respectively, received advice on eating habits from their GP twice and three times more often than people in good health with no chronic conditions (OR = 1.81; p < 0.05 and OR = 1.63; p < 0.05; OR = 3.03; p < 0.001). People in the age groups 30−39 years and 40−49 years (OR = 1.71; p < 0.05 and OR = 1.58; p < 0.05), widowed (OR = 2.94; p < 0.05), with two, three or more chronic diseases (OR = 1.92; p < 0.01 and OR = 3.89; p < 0.001), and subjectively assessing overweight and obesity (OR = 1.61; p < 0.01) had a better chance of receiving advice on physical activity. The study found a higher proportion of advice on diet and physical activity provided to overweight and obese patients by primary care physicians than in other studies; however, still not all receive the necessary counseling. GPs should advise all patients not to become overweight and obese, not only those already affected by the problem.

Food Insecurity Is Associated with the Quality of Diet of Non-Institutionalized Older Adults from a Southern Chilean Commune: A Cross-Sectional Study

As the population ages, greater attention to age-related health problems related to diet and lifestyles is needed. Here, we sought to evaluate the associations between demographic and clinical characteristics and food insecurity with the quality of diet of non-institutionalized elderly from a southern Chilean commune. We performed an analytical cross-sectional study in a sample of 376 older adults. Nutritional status was evaluated through anthropometric measurements. Quality of diet was determined by the healthy eating index (HEI), obtained through the frequency of consumption questionnaire. Socioeconomic, demographic, and lifestyle variables were also collected. Ordinal logistic and Poisson regression models were applied to study associations with quality of diet. The sample consisted of more women (81.6%) than men (18.4%). Most older adults were found to live in a situation of vulnerability or poverty (82.4%), with most having food security (65.7%). According to the HEI, only 14.1% had a good quality of diet, 83.8% had diet in need of improvement, and 2.1% had an unhealthy diet. There was an association of food insecurity and cardiovascular risk (according to waist circumference) with lower quality of diet categories. However, an association with the unhealthy quality of diet category was not confirmed with Poisson regression analysis, which was possibly due to the low number of subjects in that category (n = 8, 2.1%). Other modifiable factors like physical activity, hours of sleep, and polypharmacy were not associated with lower quality of diet categories. Socioeconomic status, which is a structural health determinant, was not associated with decreased quality of diet. Since this was a cross-sectional study performed on a small sample from a Chilean commune, directionality of associations cannot be discerned, and future longitudinal studies could aim to better characterize these associations in larger samples of elderly patients.

Correlates of Alcohol Consumption Among a Socially-Disadvantaged Population in Poland

Alcohol consumption at a level exceeding existing recommendations is one of the leading risk factors for death and disability worldwide. The aim of the study was to identify correlates of alcohol drinking among a socially-disadvantaged population in Poland. The cross-sectional study covered 1644 adult social assistance beneficiaries from the Piotrkowski district (rural area in central Poland). A detailed questionnaire filled in during a face-to-face interview allowed for the collection of socio-demographic, lifestyle-related (including alcohol consumption) and health status data. About 42% of the participants, including 67% of the men and 30% of the women, exceeded the recommended level of alcohol consumption. In the adjusted model, the men tended not to follow recommendations for alcohol consumption more frequently than the women (OR = 4.5, p < 0.001). The higher odds of not following alcohol-related recommendations were also observed for the subjects declaring having a permanent or temporary job compared to the unemployed participants (OR = 1.2, p = 0.04). A lower healthy lifestyle index (indicating an unhealthy lifestyle related to a diet, body mass index (BMI), physical activity, and tobacco smoking) was associated with not following recommendations for alcohol consumption (OR = 1.1, p = 0.04). Our study indicates that being men, having a permanent or a temporary job, and coexistence of other unfavorable lifestyle-related factors are important correlates of not following recommendations for alcohol consumption among the beneficiaries of government welfare assistance.

A Comparison of the Attitudes to Influenza Vaccination Held by Nursing, Midwifery, Pharmacy, and Public Health Students and Their Knowledge of Viral Infections

Influenza is a viral vaccine-preventable disease. The present study aims to explore the attitude to influenza immunization and the knowledge of influenza among students in Poland. A cross-sectional survey was conducted at the end of 2019 and the beginning of 2020 among students of Nursing, Midwifery, Pharmacy, and Public health in all years of study. Data was obtained from 1137 students (90.7% female, 9.3% male), mean age 21.3 ± 1.62 years. The urban students were more likely to be vaccinated against seasonal influenza than rural students (OR: 1.52; 95% CI [1.10-2.10], p = 0.010362). The students of Public health were more likely to be vaccinated against influenza (48.9%, regularly annually 1.1%) than Pharmacy (31%, regularly annually 2.5%), Nursing (30.7%, regularly annually 1.3%) or Midwifery (25.1%, regularly annually 2.4%). First-year and second-year students were vaccinated more often (OR: 2.75; 95% CI [1.99-3.82], p = 0.00000; OR: 1.84; 95% CI [1.32-2.59], p = 0.0004, respectively) than later-year students. All students reported the main reasons for vaccination to be their own protection and parental decision. Concluded, present findings demonstrate a low prevalence of flu vaccination among medical students. Therefore, strategies are needed to increase the uptake of influenza vaccine in students, especially considering the future contact between this group of future health care workers and higher risk groups.

Regional and socioeconomic variations in dietary patterns in a representative sample of young polish females: a cross-sectional study (GEBaHealth project)

Background

Associations between dietary patterns (DPs) and socioeconomic correlates among adolescents from emerging economy countries are not fully understood. The study analysed variations in DPs adherence depending on country regions and family socioeconomic status (SES) among Polish females.

Methods

Data from a representative sample (n = 1107) of Polish females 13–21-year-old was used. Four DPs were previously identified by principal component analysis. Regions were ranked by Gross Domestic Product. A SES index as an overall measure of family SES was developed. Multiple logistic regression models adjusted for age and body mass index were created.

Results

Higher adherence to ‘Fast-food and sweets’ DP was found in the less affluent (North) region when compared to four other regions (Odds ratio (OR): 1.94 to 1.63). Higher adherence to ‘Fruit and vegetables’ DP was found in more affluent regions when compared to poorer regions: East and North-East (OR 1.71 to 1.81 and 1.69 to 2.23, respectively). Higher adherence to ‘Traditional Polish’ DP was found in 4 out of 5 regions (OR 2.02 to 2.53) when compared to the East. Higher family SES was associated with higher adherence to ‘Fruit and vegetables’ DP (OR 2.06) and lower adherence to ‘Traditional Polish’ DP (OR 0.27).

Conclusions

The study revealed that region’s affluence is strongly reflected in dietary behaviours of young females from a transitioning country. Recognising geographical distribution of dietary patterns within the country and shifting the resources to economically disadvantaged regions might be more effective than current national public health interventions.

Correlates of Blood Pressure and Cholesterol Level Testing Among a Socially-Disadvantaged Population in Poland

As part of cardiovascular disease prevention, the performance of BMI determination, blood pressure measurement, biochemical tests, as well as a lifestyle-related risk assessment are recommended. The aim of this study was to evaluate the correlates of blood pressure and cholesterol level testing among a socially-disadvantaged population in Poland. This cross-sectional study was performed between 2015 and 2016 among 1710 beneficiaries of government welfare assistance. Face-to-face interviews conducted by trained staff at each participant's place of residence allowed for completion of questionnaires that covered socio-demographic, health and lifestyle-related information. Sixty-five percent of the participants declared a blood pressure and 27% of them cholesterol level testing at least once within the year proceeding the study. A higher chance of having blood pressure testing was observed among the women (OR = 1.5; p = 0.002) and people with high blood pressure (OR = 3.9; p < 0.001). The women (OR = 1.4; p = 0.04) and older people (OR = 1.9; p = 0.02; OR = 2.6; p < 0.001, OR = 2.7; p = 0.002, for the following age groups: 30-39, 40-49, 50-59 years respectively), the respondents who declared health problems such as heart attack (OR = 3.0; p = 0.04), high blood pressure (OR = 2.3; p < 0.001) and type 2 diabetes (OR = 3.3; p = 0.004) and those with a family history of chronic diseases (OR = 1.5; p = 0.03) had a higher chance of cholesterol level checking. Higher healthy lifestyle index, indicating that the study participants have followed almost all of the studied lifestyle-related recommendations, was a significant correlate of cholesterol level testing (OR = 1.7; p = 0.006). Actions that promote lifestyle changes, blood pressure, and cholesterol level testing should take into account the needs of the disadvantaged population and should especially target men, people with existing chronic diseases, and those with unfavorable lifestyle characteristics. With respect to the socially-disadvantaged population, the social assistance institutions and outpatient clinics are the best places to conduct activities promoting a healthy lifestyle. The most commonly applied strategies to promote lifestyle changes can cover risk assessment, increasing awareness, emotional support and encouragement, as well as a referral to specialists.