Prevalence and Sociodemographic Factors Associated with Overweight and Obesity among Adults in Poland: A 2019/2020 Nationwide Cross-Sectional Survey

Awareness of Genitourinary Cancers Risk Factors-A 2024 Population-Based Cross-Sectional Study in Poland

Objective

This study aimed to assess the awareness of genitourinary cancers risk factors among adults in Poland and to identify factors associated with public awareness of risk factors for genitourinary cancers.

Methods

This cross-sectional survey was carried out between 1 and 4 March 2024 in a nationwide sample of 2,165 adults in Poland. Quota sampling was used. Data were collected using computer-assisted web interview (CAWI) method.

Results

Regardless of the type of cancer (kidney, bladder, or prostate cancer), a family history of cancer was the most recognized risk factor indicated by over half of respondents. Over one-third were aware that chemical exposure increases the risk for bladder cancer (39.4%) or prostate cancer (34.2%). Smoking was recognized as a risk factor for kidney cancer by 40.6% of respondents. Female gender, having higher education, being occupationally active and the presence of chronic diseases were the most important factors (p < 0.05) associated with a higher level of awareness of genitourinary cancers risk factors.

Conclusion

This study revealed gaps in public awareness of genitourinary cancers risk factors among adults in Poland, especially lifestyle-related and workplace-related risk factors.

Prevalence of pre-obesity and above and its associated factors in adult women: an analysis of the 2020 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

PURPOSE

This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of pre-obesity (overweight) and above in adult women and to identify associated factors.

METHODS

Data were obtained from the eighth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES VIII-2), conducted in 2020. The sample comprised 2,288 women aged 19-64 years who participated in the KNHANES VIII-2. Data were analyzed using complex sample design analysis with SPSS version 20.1.

RESULTS

The prevalence of pre-obesity and above among adult women was 46.5%, with 18.6% classified as having pre-obesity and 27.9% as having obesity. A higher prevalence of pre-obesity and above was observed in women aged 50-59 years (odds ratio [OR]=1.67, p=.019) or 60-64 years (OR=1.80, p=.029); women whose highest educational attainment was high school (OR=1.28, p=.018) or middle school or less (OR=1.60, p=.017); those in middle-income households (OR=1.55, p=.005); those engaging in muscle-strengthening activities less than 2 days per week (OR=1.37, p=.019); and those sleeping less than 6 hours per night during the week (OR=1.37, p=.025).

CONCLUSION

As nearly half of all adult women have either pre-obesity or obesity, prevention and management strategies must target both groups. Interventions should be prioritized for women in their 50s and older, as well as those with low education or income levels. Additionally, receiving adequate sleep of 7 hours or more and engaging in muscle-strengthening activities at least 2 days per week are important components of obesity management.

Association between Physical Activity Level, Body Composition, and Phase Angle in University Students from Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA)

Background: The aim of this study is to determine the relationship between selected components of body composition and the phase angle specified by bioelectrical impedance analysis, depending on the level of physical activity among students. Materials and Methods: The study group consisted of 484 university students from Krosno. The diagnostic survey method (IPAQ-SF), measurements of highs, and analysis of body composition components (BIA) were used. The relationship between variables was determined using the χ2 test, the V-Kramer coefficient, and Spearman's rho coefficient. Results: University students in physical education demonstrated the highest level of physical activity and the lowest incidence of excessive body mass. Among the participants, 28.1% did not engage in any physical activity, or their level was insufficient. The PhA level was correlated with lean body mass and muscle mass. The correlation between higher levels of PA and PhA values was statistically significant, as was the relationship between self-assessment of physical fitness and the level of PA determined by IPAQ-SF. Conclusions: Preventive actions and educational programs, especially about spending leisure time in active ways, should be particularly targeted at students of disciplines with a significant amount of sedentary classes.

An Observational Study of 147 Psoriasis Patients: Overweightness and Obesity as a Significant Clinical Factors Correlated with Psoriasis

Background and Objectives: Psoriasis is a common, chronic, and immune-mediated inflammatory skin disease recognized to lead to a wide range of comorbid disorders, mainly obesity. The study aimed to evaluate the problem of overweightness and obesity among psoriasis patients in the context of their prevalence and influence on the disease course. Materials and Methods: The study group encompassed 147 adult patients with plaque psoriasis. Results: The prevalences of overweightness (39.46%) and obesity (37.41%) demonstrated in the study showed the strong predisposition of psoriatic patients for abnormal body mass. The vast majority (77%) of subjects with psoriatic arthritis were overweight or obese. The results of the correlation analysis revealed the significant impacts of overweightness and obesity, as defined by the BMI index, on modifying the severity of psoriasis (as assessed by the PASI with a correlation coefficient of R = 0.23, p = 0.016; and BSA values with a correlation coefficient of R = 0.21, p = 0.023), particularly in contrast to patients with a normal body mass. Conclusions: Overweightness and obesity constitute a major health burden among psoriatic patients, influencing the disease course and severity. Enhanced understanding of the phenomenon may directly translate into improving disease management and overall patient care.

Higher Body Mass Index is associated with increased arterial stiffness prior to target organ damage: a cross-sectional cohort study

BACKGROUND

Obesity is associated with several neurohumoral changes that play an essential role in organ damage. Increased arterial stiffness causes functional vessel wall changes and can therefore lead to accelerated target organ damage as well. Whether obesity causes an independent increase in central arterial stiffness is, however, not yet fully known.

METHODS

One hundred thirty-three patients (63.2% male) were included. Body Mass Index (BMI) was defined as body weight in kilograms, divided by the square of body height in meters. Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration creatinine 2009 equation was used to estimate the glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). Non-invasive applanation tonometry was used for arterial stiffness measurements (Sphygmocor Atcor Medical, Sydney, Australia). All patients underwent coronarography.

RESULTS

The mean age of our patients was 65.0 ± 9.2 years. Their mean BMI was 28.5 ± 4.4 kg/m2, eGFR 75.5 ± 17.2 ml/min/1.73 m2 and ankle-brachial index (ABI) 1.0 ± 0.1. Their arterial stiffness measurements showed mean carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV) 10.3 ± 2.7 m/s, subendocardial viability ratio (SEVR) 164.4 ± 35.0%, and pulse pressure (PP) 47.8 ± 14.5 mmHg. Spearman's correlation test revealed a statistically significant correlation between BMI and SEVR (r = -0.193; p = 0.026), BMI and cfPWV (r = 0.417; p < 0.001) and between BMI and PP (r = 0.227; p = 0.009). Multiple regression analysis confirmed an independent connection between BMI and cfPWV (B = 0.303; p < 0.001) and between BMI and SEVR (B = -0.186; p = 0.040). There was no association between BMI and kidney function, ABI, or coronary artery disease.

CONCLUSION

Increased BMI is independently associated with augmented central arterial stiffness and reduced subendocardial perfusion but not with coronary artery disease, kidney function, or ABI.

Dietary trends among Polish women in 2011-2022-cross-sectional study of food consumption frequency among women aged 20-50 in Silesia region, Poland

Background

Women's nutrition should be different from that of men. Women have lower energy requirements than men. And the need for certain vitamins and minerals is higher in women, this applies to iron, calcium, magnesium, vitamin D and vitamin B9 (folic acid). This is related to hormonal changes including menstruation, pregnancy, breastfeeding and the onset of menopause. Through hormonal changes and the changing physiological state, women are at greater risk of anaemia, bone weakness and osteoporosis.The aim of the study was to assess changes in the dietary pattern among women from the Silesian Agglomeration in Poland between 2011 and 2022.

Material and method

The survey was conducted in 2011 (March-May 2011) and in 2022 (October-November 2022) among women living in the Silesian Agglomeration (Silesia region) in Poland aged 20-50. After consideration of the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 745 women were included in the final analysis, including 437 women screened in 2011 and 308 women screened in 2022.The research tool used in this publication was a survey questionnaire consisting of 2 parts. The first part of the questionnaire consisted of demographic data. The second part of the study focused on the dietary habits of the women surveyed and the frequency of consumption of individual foods (FFQ).

Results

More women in 2022 ate breakfast than in 2011 (77.6% vs. 63.8% p < 0.001), were more likely to eat breakfast I at home (73.1% vs. 62.5%; p < 0.001), were more likely to eat breakfast II (39.0% vs. 35.2%; p = 0.001), were more likely to eat breakfast II at home (28.6% vs. 19.2%; p = 0.002), and were more likely to eat lunch at work (16.6% vs. 3.4%; p < 0.001). Women in 2022 were more likely to consume fast-food (p = 0.001), salty snacks (chips, crisps) (p < 0.001) and sweets (p < 0.001). Women in 2022 were more likely to consume whole-grain bread (p < 0.001), wholemeal pasta (p < 0.001), brown rice (p < 0.001), oatmeal (p < 0.001), buckwheat groats (p = 0.06), and bran (p < 0.001) than women in 2011. They were less likely to consume white bread (p < 0.0001), light pasta (p = 0.004), white rice (p = 0.008) and cornflakes (p < 0.001) in 2022.Women in 2022 were significantly more likely to consume vegetables (p < 0.001) than women in 2011.

Conclusion

Eating habits in Silesia region women changed between 2011 and 2022. In 2022, women were more likely to choose cereal products considered health-promoting and rich in dietary fiber (including whole-grain bread, whole-grain pasta, oatmeal, bran) were more likely to consume vegetables, dry pulses and vegetarian dinners, and consumed less meat, cured meats, fish and dairy products. Consumption of fast-food, salty snacks (such as chips) and sweets increased.

Nutrition Knowledge, Dietary Habits, and Food Labels Use-A Representative Cross-Sectional Survey among Adults in Poland

An unhealthy diet is an important risk factor for disability and premature death. This study aimed to assess nutrition knowledge, dietary habits, and food label use among adults in Poland as well as to identify factors associated with diet-related behaviors. A cross-sectional survey was carried out in July 2020 on a non-probability quota-based sample of 1070 adult citizens of Poland. The most common sources of nutrition knowledge were news websites (41.8%) or family/friends (32.4%). Over one-quarter of adults in Poland were on a diet (28.7%). Over one-tenth of respondents (11.9%) consumed less than three meals per day. Half of the respondents (50.3%) declared that they use food labels when shopping, and 15.4% checked the nutrition information on restaurant menus. Female gender (OR:1.70; 95%CI:1.26-2.29; p < 0.001), presence of chronic diseases (OR:1.83; 95%CI:1.37-2.44; p < 0.001), regular physical activity (p < 0.001), and being a non-smoker (OR:1.45; 95%CI:1.02-2.06; p = 0.04) were significantly associated with higher odds of being on a diet. Females (OR:1.63; 95%CI:1.24-2.15; p < 0.001), respondents with higher education (OR:1.53; 95%CI:1.17-2.01; p = 0.002), those who had never been married (OR:1.49; 95%CI:1.07-2.07; p = 0.02), respondents with chronic diseases (OR:1.73; 95%CI:1.30-2.31; p < 0.001), those with regular physical activity (p < 0.05), as well as non-smokers (OR:1.42; 95%CI:1.04-1.95; p = 0.03) had higher odds of checking the food labels. This study showed a significant gap in nutrition knowledge among adults in Poland.

Epidemiological Analysis of Diabetes-Related Hospitalization in Poland before and during the COVID-19 Pandemic, 2014-2020

Diabetes is one of the most common chronic diseases worldwide. The study aimed to present an epidemiological analysis of hospitalization related to diabetes mellitus in Poland between 2014 and 2020 as well as to analyze changes in diabetes-related hospital admissions before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study is a retrospective analysis of the national registry dataset of hospital discharge reports on diabetes-related hospitalizations in Poland between 2014 and 2020. The number of diabetes-related hospitalizations varied from 76,220 in 2016 to 45,159 in 2020. The hospitalization rate per 100,000 has decreased from 74.6 in 2019 to 53.0 in 2020 among patients with type 1 diabetes (percentage change: -28.9%). An even greater drop was observed among patients with type 2 diabetes: from 99.4 in 2019 to 61.6 in 2020 (percentage change: -38%). Both among patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes, a decrease in hospitalization rate was higher among females than males (-31.6% vs. -26.7% and -40.9% vs. -35.2% respectively). When compared to 2019, in 2020, the in-hospital mortality rate increased by 66.7% (60.0% among males and 65.2% among females) among patients hospitalized with type 1 diabetes and by 48.5% (55.2% among females and 42.1% among males) among patients hospitalized with type 2 diabetes. Markable differences in hospitalization rate, duration of hospitalization, as well as in-hospital mortality rate by gender, were observed, which reveal health inequalities.

Public Awareness of Diet-Related Diseases and Dietary Risk Factors: A 2022 Nationwide Cross-Sectional Survey among Adults in Poland

A suboptimal diet is a risk factor for numerous non-communicable diseases. This study aimed to assess the level of knowledge on diet-related diseases and dietary risk factors among adults in Poland as well as to identify factors associated with awareness of diet-related diseases and dietary risk factors. This cross-sectional survey was carried out in July 2022 on a representative sample of adults in Poland. Data were received from 1070 individuals (53.3% females) aged 18−89 years. Out of eight diet-related diseases included in this study, overweight/obesity was the most recognized diet-related disease (85.0%). Stroke (26.2%) and osteoporosis (17.9%) were the least recognized diet-related diseases. Out of eight dietary risk factors included in this study, excessive consumption of sugar and salt (73.4%) was the most recognized dietary risk factor. Less than half of the respondents were aware that (1) too little vitamin intake, (2) too little intake of calcium and magnesium, (3) too little consumption of fish and oils, and (4) too little dietary fiber intake can lead to the development of the diseases. Having higher education and the presence of chronic diseases were the most important factors associated with a higher level of awareness of diet-related diseases and dietary risk factors (p < 0.05).